OI Partners Board Member Named Chairwoman, Institute of Career Certification International

---

NASHVILLE, TN—August 1, 2006—

Jean Erickson Walker, board member of OI Partners, a global career management and leadership solutions firm, has been appointed chair of the Institute of Career Certification International. ICC International is the only not-for-profit and independent certifying body for career management professionals. OI Partners plays a pivotal role in advocating certification as a standard for career management professionals, with all 34 of OI Partners’ U.S. firms expected to have at least one certified professional within the next year and now, a board member serving as international chairwoman for this renowned certifying body.

“The average job length in the U.S. is 3.7 years. As a result, many organizations take little responsibility for the careers of their employees and may even hire uncertified career counselors because of a perceived cost savings or lack of understanding about the benefits of working with a certified professional,” said Jean Walker. “When organizations or individuals choose highly-skilled, certified career management professionals, the potential to develop exceedingly successful business practices and leaders is unlimited,” she said.

ICC International was created in 1994 by the Professional Associations for Career Management Practitioners and Firms in response to growing concern by providers, purchasers and recipients of career management services to ensure that such services were being delivered competently, ethically and to defined and verifiable standards. Essentially, ICC International protects the consumer to ensure that the services they are purchasing from a career management professional are sound. It guides organizations in effectively enhancing the human capital and leadership of their organizations.

ICC International Certification is portfolio-based, documenting expertise and experience in the field. This portfolio of work is reviewed by a five-member committee that represents four countries. The work is then reviewed by the ICC International board. ICC International employs a thorough screening process to validate professionals in 30 areas of competency including career planning, assessment and leadership development. Applicants also must have a university degree, a minimum of four years in career management and eight years of work experience.

Walker, who authored “The Age Advantage: Making the Most of Your Midlife Career Transition,” holds a two-year term as one of 12 board governors from seven countries. Each board governor is a certified Career Management Fellow (CMF), nominated by the two career management international professional associations, Association of Career Firms and Association of Career Professionals.

“People often spend more time selecting an auto mechanic than they do selecting a career coach who will guide them through a lifetime of professional decisions that can have lasting impact, even on families,” said Walker. “ICC International’s responsibility is to ensure that employees and organizational leaders have a reliable way to determine that the career management professionals they hire are highly qualified and have the credentials to guide them,” she said.

About OI Partners

OI Partners is the talent management and leadership solutions firm that provides a better human experience for a better business outcome. Established in 1987, OI Partners Inc. is a corporation of leading career consulting, executive development, leadership development and outplacement professionals located in more than 180 locally-owned offices in 24 countries. For more information, please visit www.oipartners.net or call 800-232-5285.

Contact: Jill Van Nostran, 773-531-6968, jill@pro-prconsultant.com