Training is one of the hot topics during this Coronavirus pandemic. You may have more time on your hands than usual. You may be thinking about using that time to do some training, also known as CPD (Continuing Professional Development).
In my original blog post about training (Proofreading Training), I mentioned that my next aim was to apply for the CIEP Proofreading mentoring scheme. In this episode I update you on my progress.
Tall Tartan Talks here … I see a lot of questions on social media asking about training. If you are confused about the when, which, how and why of proofreading training, this post may help you make up your mind.
Training is vital to reflect that you take the owning of your editing business seriously. Especially if, like me, you have no background in publishing.
So … are you wondering about proofreading training? Or are you a prospective client wondering about my professional qualifications?
Change of path
After three decades as a primary school teacher, I had succumbed to work-related stress and was on sick leave. I was slowly coming to terms with a daunting fact: a life I had known for 30 years was changing. I needed to find a Plan B.
Marking’s my thing, I thought. Why don’t I apply my skills to a new business?
The thought of working from home as a freelancer was in the back of my mind and very tempting. (Read Business Plan and Training to find out what I did …)
If you are looking at training providers, the CIEP and the PTC (Publishing Training Centre) offer the most creditable training in proofreading and copyediting.
Courses
So, during the time I have owned my business Proofnow Proofreader (now in my fourth year), I have completed the following CIEP (formerly Society for Editors and Proofreaders) courses and CPD:
- Proofreading 3: Progress (2016)
- References (2016)
- Getting work with Non-publishers (2017)
- Educational Publishing Development Day (2018)
- Mini conference in Newcastle (May 2019)
- Proofreading mentoring scheme (completed May 2020)
- Every CIEP annual conference since 2017
These have contributed to my upgrade from Entry Member to Intermediate Member. You can find a list of all the courses the CIEP offers on the Training page of their website.
In addition, you can keep an ongoing record of your formal CPD in the section called Upgrading your membership. There you can add courses as you complete them. The system saves them, so that you can keep returning to add more information. If you are a CIEP member and haven’t explored this benefit, it’s well worth it.
Mini conference in Newcastle
Since I wrote my last blog post about training, I realised that it’s just over a year since I got the train to Newcastle for this mini one-day conference in May 2019. It was very well organised by the NE Editors group. See my blog post about the event here.
Proofreading mentoring
This post brings my training up to date – I have completed the proofreading mentoring scheme as a mentee.
So what is this scheme? The following guidance is taken from the Mentoring page (currently paused) of the CIEP website.
Successful mentees can gain up to 10 points towards upgrading their membership. The number of points gained depends on the mentor’s answers to five questions about the mentee:
- Are they literate? (grammar, sentence structure, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation)
- Are they businesslike? (prompt, clear, efficient, follow brief, communicate well)
- Are they accurate? (spot and deal with editorial errors)
- Do they use appropriate mark-up? (BS 5261:2005, plus PDFs or Track Changes if used)
- Do they use good judgement? (level of queries, frequency and extent of intervention).
The mentor sends a variety of real jobs they have done for clients. These range in subject area and complexity. You are encouraged and supported in a one-to-one partnership. Communication and questioning are recommended.
I found that carrying out the work, following each specific brief, in a safe environment, is a good way to learn.
My knowledge vastly increased, including how to query. I learnt how different clients would expect you to deal with projects and relationships in different ways.
Of course, my confidence wavered considerably through the six months with highs and lows, as it does on any course. But you don’t learn if it is easy. You don’t learn if you don’t make mistakes. I say that to my primary students all the time, especially when they are upset if they got something wrong. Showing you are learning from your mistakes, by applying the lessons learnt, is one of the key points.
As total commitment is necessary, there was a huge wash of positive relief when the last mentoring feedback was returned.
Why training is vital
I am fortunate that I have been able to invest in my ongoing CPD with the CIEP over the last four years of my freelancing career.
Evidence of CPD on your website and CV gives your prospective clients confidence in your skills; your professionalism, expertise and integrity will be evident. Highlighting these is imperative.
Next training opportunity?
The annual September CIEP conference attracts 3 CPD points towards upgrade. I have written some blog posts on this subject too!
In this year of the pandemic, the September 2020 conference in Milton Keynes is cancelled. However, there are plans to move it online in some form. Check with the CIEP for details.
I know I am not alone in looking forward to the alternative conference. Here’s to #CIEP2020!