ASEC programs recognise the core competencies of the International Association of Coaching and the International Coach Federation.

The ASEC Coach Certification Program recognises the IAC Coaching Masteries™ and the coaching core competencies of the International Coach Federation (ICF).

Candidates following the ASEC program are specifically prepared for accreditation by the IAC because we believe that it is the most suitable initial professional qualification for coaches who wish to achieve an internationally recognised standard.

However, the program is also designed to fulfil the minimum 60 hours of coach specific training required by the ICF for those who wish to progress to Associate Certified Coach (ACC), which requires 100 hours of coaching experience, including at least eight clients, and documented 10 hours of work with a qualified mentor coach. Further progress to Professional (PCC) and Master Certified Coach (MCC) status requires 750 and 2,500 coaching experience hours respectively.

International Association of Coaching®

The IAC certification process requires accomplished skill, and a thorough comprehension of that skill. Although no one particular coach training method is required, it?s essential that knowledge and application of these skill sets are mastered.

The first part of the certification process is an online test that evaluates your knowledge and awareness of the proficiencies, legal, and ethical standards. The second part involves the submission of recorded coaching sessions, where you demonstrate the practical application. The certifying board will evaluate how well you apply the standards in your recorded coaching sessions.

The IAC Coaching Masteries™

1. Establishing and maintaining a relationship of trust
   Ensuring a safe space and supportive relationship for personal growth, discovery and transformation.
2. Perceiving, affirming and expanding the client?s potential
   The coach recognizes and helps the client to acknowledge and appreciate his or her strengths and potential.
3. Engaged listening
   Give full attention to the words, nuances, and the unspoken meaning of the client's communication and is more deeply aware of the client by listening beyond what the client is able to articulate.
4. Processing in the present
   The coach is attentive to the client, processing information at the level of the mind, body, heart and/or spirit, as appropriate. The coach expands the client's awareness of how to experience thoughts and issues on these various levels, when and as appropriate.
5. Expressing
   Expressing is the manner in which the coach communicates commitment, direction, intent, and ideas.
6. Clarifying
   Reduce/eliminate confusion or uncertainty; increase understanding and the confidence of the client.
7. Helping the client set and keep clear intentions
   Keeps the client focused and working towards intended goals
8. Inviting possibility
   Creating an environment that allows ideas, options and opportunities to emerge.
9. Helping the client create and use supportive systems and structures
   Helping the client identify and build the relationships, tools, systems and structures he or she needs to advance and sustain progress.

International Coach Federation

The ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential is for the practiced coach. It requires completion of a set amount of coach-specific training; a minimum of 100 coaching experience hours; and at least eight clients, among other requirements.

Those applying for the ACC credential, by submitting a portfolio application, are required to document 10 hours of work with a qualified mentor coach.

There is an expectation that all ICF Credentialed coaches will continue their education and build on their level of experience. The resulting growth in competency and professionalism will be evidenced by their journey to the MCC credential.

ICF Coaching Core Competencies

The following eleven core coaching competencies were developed to support greater understanding about the skills and approaches used within today's coaching profession as defined by the ICF. They will also support you in calibrating the level of alignment between the coach-specific training expected and the training you have experienced.

Setting the Foundation

1.  Meeting ethical guidelines and professional standards

Understanding of coaching ethics and standards and ability to apply them appropriately in all coaching situations

2.  Establishing the coaching agreement

Ability to understand what is required in the specific coaching interaction and to come to agreement with the prospective and new client about the coaching process and relationship

Co-creating the relationship

3.  Establishing trust and intimacy with the client

Ability to create a safe, supportive environment that produces ongoing mutual respect and trust

4.  Coaching presence

Ability to be fully conscious and create spontaneous relationship with the client, employing a style that is open, flexible and confident

Communicating effectively

5.  Active listening

Ability to focus completely on what the client is saying and is not saying, to understand the meaning of what is said in the context of the client's desires, and to support client self-expression

6.  Powerful questioning

Ability to ask questions that reveal the information needed for maximum benefit to the coaching relationship and the client

7.  Direct communication

Ability to communicate effectively during coaching sessions, and to use language that has the greatest positive impact on the client

Facilitating learning and results

8.  Creating awareness

Ability to integrate and accurately evaluate multiple sources of information, and to make interpretations that help the client to gain awareness and thereby achieve agreed-upon results

9.  Designing actions

Ability to create with the client opportunities for ongoing learning, during coaching and in work/life situations, and for taking new actions that will most effectively lead to agreed-upon coaching results

10.  Planning and goal setting

Ability to develop and maintain an effective coaching plan with the client

11.  Managing progress and accountability

Ability to hold attention on what is important for the client, and to leave responsibility with the client to take action.

Find out more

To find out more about where you can attend a coach training course, or how to organise an in-house course, contact us by telephone on +44 (0) 121 288 3417 – or use our contact page.