Sharpen your mediation skills on the job.
Achieving the best outcome
Mediation is an easy way to resolve a dispute between parties, and for them to preserve their relationship once the dispute has been settled.
The aim of mediation is for an impartial third person to facilitate a discussion between the disputing parties, and to help them reach a mutually agreed result.
Mediation is a skill required by many employees in the public sector, whether working in a contact centre taking phone calls from the public, a case manager working face-to-face with clients, or a human resource manager negotiating with other employees.
The Skills Organisation's Dispute Resolution programmes are designed specifically to develop your mediation skills, as well as your knowledge of the mediation process in the New Zealand public sector.
Our programmes lead to nationally recognised, transferable qualifications that staircase to further learning, so are designed to help you forge a career across the public sector. A major advantage is that our programmes are designed to be completed in the workplace environment, so you won't have to take time off work to achieve a formal qualification.
Programmes appropriate to you and your organisation
The Skills Organisation will help you identify a dispute resolution programme to suit you and your organisation.
We’ll work with you and your manager to develop a programme that will formally recognise your existing mediation skills, and set out a learning pathway for your future development. The content of the programme will be relevant to your workplace and the mediation context within your organisation. Our programmes are aligned with standards on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework, so you will gain a formal tertiary qualification.
You will develop skills and knowledge in:
- dynamics and sources of conflict
- communications
- the appropriateness of mediation in specific situations
- legislation.
Dispute Resolution programmes
Mediation Level 4
This is an entry level programme designed for those who are the first point of contact for a public sector organisation and who may have a need to clarify or diffuse potentially difficult situations; or for the junior mediator.
The programme will enhance your understanding of the underpinning mediation knowledge, and develop your interpersonal communication skills, to enable you to clarify issues and resolve disputes.
There are two main streams:
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Mediation:
-dynamics and sources of conflict
-understanding situations when mediation may be appropriate
-communication skills
-New Zealand legislation related to mediation.
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Interpersonal Communication:
-applied communication and listening skills.
Upon completion of this programme, you will gain the National Certificate in Mediation (Interpersonal Communications) Level 4.
Mediation Level 5
This is a more advanced programme for those who have demonstrated the ability to conduct mediations in at least one of a variety of contexts.
The programme will further develop your understanding of mediation knowledge, and the key skills of mediation and interpersonal communications that will enable you to conduct a professional mediation.
The mediation skills covered include:
- communications
- dynamics and sources of conflict
- recognising appropriate situations to apply mediation
- managing power in the mediation process
- caucusing
- mediation approaches
- ethics and legal obligations
- New Zealand legislation related to mediation.
Upon completion of this programme, you will be awarded the National Certificate in Mediation Level 5.