Civil Engineering July 2021 | Vol 29 No 6

Civil Engineering July 2021 17 F or 25 years, Conflict Dynamics has been training mediators to deal with many different types of conflicts and disputes. Initially we trained mediators as CCMA commissioners to mediate and conciliate in the employ- ment, labour and management environ- ments. Since 2007 we have also trained mediators for the civil, commercial, workplace, medical malpractice, personal injury, education and community sectors. Our mediator training programme equips participants to mediate in most disputes and offers a thorough generic mediator skills base and framework. The course focuses on the skills re- quired to mediate in a facilitative manner. The skills that are covered in the course align with the SAICE amicable settlement principles. Mediation is by nature a flex- ible process and the skills can be applied according to the nature of the dispute. The course focuses on skilling mediators to: Q Q Appreciate how conflict and disputes develop Q Q Understand the range of conflict management and dispute resolution options available to disputing parties Q Q Understand mediation, its principles and philosophies, models and styles Q Q Understand mediation and the civil justice system Q Q Create and maintain an environment conducive to mediation Q Q Engage with each participant to de- velop communication and interaction Q Q Establish and maintain a safe and ef- fective working structure Q Q Manage the process actively and work with the phases of mediation Q Q Enable the parties to broaden perspec- tives, generate ideas and move towards a workable settlement Q Q Facilitate a basis for information exchange, enable a flow of information between the parties and actively assist the negotiations Q Q Facilitate the concluding phase of mediation Q Q Review own practice and develop as a mediator. ACCREDITATION AND TRAINING The Conflict Dynamics mediator training course is accredited by the Dispute Settlement Accreditation Council of South Africa (DiSAC). Conflict Dynamics is a founding member of DiSAC and is involved with DiSAC in establishing a professional body for mediators. Locally we are also accredited as a training provider by the South African Board for People Practices and this course is accredited by the Public Service Sector - Education & Training Authority against unit standard 117848, Conduct mediation in situations that require advanced skills . The mediator training programme is validated by SAICE for continuous profes- sional development points. Conflict Dynamics works hard to ensure that the course is internation- ally benchmarked. The International Mediation Institute (IMI) has approved the Conflict Dynamics’ Commercial Mediator Training course as a Certified Mediator Training Programme. This means that our training programme meets the independent international standards for mediator training and individuals who successfully complete our training programme can apply to be recognised as an IMI Qualified Mediator. The course is recognised by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) in the United Kingdom as a basis for medi- ator accreditation with CEDR. Candidates may apply for CEDR assessment and accreditation at an additional fee. The training is presented by experi- enced South African lead trainers, all of whom are active mediators. Participants receive coaching and assessment by expe- rienced and trained coaches and assessors who each have more than 10 years of experience as mediators. Participants can expect to get a high level of personal attention on the course given the 1:4 ratio of coaches to delegates. The training is usually conducted in person, but has been successfully converted to the online medium since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, and seven courses have been conducted using the Zoom platform. The face-to-face course consists of five full days of tuition, coaching and assess- ment. Delegates are taught and coached in the mediation process and skills during the first three days and assessed over the last two days. Scheduling usually allows for a day off in-between to reflect and absorb the learning and prepare for the assessments. The online course consists of six full days of tuition, coaching and assessment. The first three days involve teaching and practice with coaching in four 90-minute modules per day. The fourth day in- volves coaching in three approximately 190-minute modules (this includes roleplay preparation time and one-on-one feedback). The final two days involve assessment and one-on-one feedback in three approximately 140-minute modules per day (this includes roleplay preparation time and one-on-one feedback). Much attention has been given to assisting the parties to construction disputes to resolve their issues in a con- structive and sustainable manner. Having skilled mediators available to parties will enhance the industry’s ability to grow infrastructure and enhance development. Conflict Dynamics looks forward to partnering in this initiative.  The value of accredited mediator training The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) panel of SAICE recently amended the training criteria for admission to the SAICE President’s List. Going forward, members will be required to attend a number of training courses, one of which is an accredited, five-day course in amicable settlement or mediation skills. Marion Shaer Director, Trainer and Mediator Conflict Dynamics marion@conflictdynamics.co.za