The second stage is the emergence of a school of professional training for the people engaged in this type of activity. Schools like this are often associated with universities. The next step is a professional association – an association of people engaged in this activity on a permanent basis. The association takes actions forcing the state to adopt certain regulations establishing the procedure for licensing and certifying activities, thus establishing a kind of professional monopoly. Also, the professional association affects the professional training of specialists, promoting the development of a theory, methods, strategies of activity and competences of the specialists.
Next, a code of ethics is developed, which helps prevent abuse of authority and power. Self-regulated professional associations demonstrate to the public that they control the code of ethics.
The final step is the formation of a positive image in the society. When you have established an image, you can say that you have a new profession.
WHAT IS A PROFESSION?
There are two approaches to defining a profession. In the first case, it is defined as an activity, an occupation, a job. In the second, as a group of people.
A profession as an activity is a paid job, especially one that involves lengthy training and formal qualifications. Accordingly, a professional is a person who has undergone such training, received confirmation of his/her qualifications and is engaged in that job.
Caroline Heider, former Director General and Senior Vice President, Evaluation, World Bank Group, highlights the key features of established professions[16]:
• There is an established stream through the tertiary education system that each member of the profession has to complete, and some professions require regular training to update knowledge and skills;
• The profession requires that new graduates practice in close collaboration and under the supervision of more experienced practitioners;
• There are strong, recognized professional associations that enforce and reinforce standards;
• Legislation is in place that sets out requirements and provides the basis for legal recourse in the case of malpractice.
IS EVALUATION A PROFESSION?
We decided to do a little research of our own and turned to experts who have been working in evaluation for quite a long time. Our speakers responded that it is too early to call evaluation a mature profession yet. By the way, its degree of maturity varies from country to country.