Instructor Training

Becoming a Certified Companionship Instructor is an exciting opportunity and we are thrilled that you are interested. Being a successful Certified Companionship Instructor is highly rewarding; however, this role also requires a serious commitment of time, energy, and creativity. Before applying to become a certified instructor, you should fully understand what is necessary for certification as well as your long-term success as a Certified Companionship Instructor. 

We have answered the following ten questions:

1. Who should apply to be a certified companionship instructor?
2. What is required for instructor training and certification?
3. What is the tuition cost for the in-person and virtual training options? 
4. What is the cancellation training for paid tuition?
5. Can I transfer my registration if I am unable to attend?
6. What is the instructor training structure?
7. What are the outcomes of the Certified Companionship Instructor Training?
8. What are my commitments as a Certified Companionship Instructor?
9. How do I maintain my Companionship Instructor Certification?
10. When should travel arrangements be made for Certified Companionship Instructor Training?

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Answers to the questions

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1. Who should apply to be a Certified Companionship Instructor? 

A Certified Companionship Instructor is required to serve as an ambassador and, most importantly, an embodiment of the Companionship program principles. All instructor candidates are required to have the following qualifications: 

• General knowledge and/or personal experience with issues of mental health, poverty, trauma, or other isolating circumstances

• Experience in Companionship work and an understanding of best practices in Companioning relationships

• Membership in and strong external support from one’s religious community, professional or community organization, or other community group

 

2. What is required for Instructor Training and Certification?

Certified Companionship Instructor Training takes place over three days and is taught by one or more authorized National Trainers. Each training course has a minimum registration of five people and a maximum of 15.

3. What is the tuition cost for the in-person and virtual training options? 

 

• In-person Tuition for each Instructor Candidate is $1,000. This fee includes the instruction, a spot in a 3-hour Become a Companion Workshop, a hearty snack during the training, all instruction materials, and continued support and education opportunities from Pathways to Promise for as long as the individual remains a certified instructor. Once accepted to the training, a small deposit of 20% ($200.00) is required to reserve your space, and full payment must be made prior to the start of the training. Instructor candidates are responsible for travel, hotel, and any miscellaneous expenses during the training period.

• Virtual Tuition for each Instructor Candidate is $850. This fee includes the instruction and a spot in a 3-hour Become a Companion  \workshop, held the Wednesday before the 11-hour training on Friday and Saturday, that teaches how to lead Become a Companion workshops. 

• Once accepted to the training, a small deposit of 20% ($170.00) is required to reserve your space and full payment must be made prior to the start of the training.​

4. What is the Cancellation Policy for training that is paid for?  

If you cancel your registration within 30 days or more prior to the training date, you will receive a full refund. If you cancel your registration between 14 and 29 days prior to the training, you will receive a 50% refund. Those canceling with less than 14 days' notice prior to training will not be eligible for a refund. Any additional cancellation fees are the responsibility of the registering party and/or their supporting organization.  

5. Can I transfer my registration if I am unable to attend the scheduled training?

Participants may transfer registration to another course with notice of at least 7 days. Scholarship transfers are subject to the approval of Pathways to Promise. 

6. What is the Instructor Training Structure?

Experienced National Trainers guide Instructor Candidates through the second and third days of training with an emphasis on embodying and communicating the five basic practices of Companionship. On the final day of the training, each instructor candidate will teach back an
assigned portion of the Become a Companion Workshop to the group.

 

The National Trainers will then conduct an individual evaluation of each candidate using a standardized rubric, and each candidate will provide a peer review for their colleagues. Courses vary in time and location; however, all follow the same foundational structure. 

7. What are the outcomes of the Certified Companionship Instructor Training?

The Certified Companionship Instructor Training has three possible
outcomes:

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1. Full Certification

2. Provisional Certification

3. No Certification

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Please note that all certification determinations are made by an elite group of National Trainers with significant experience and knowledge of Companioning work.  

8. What are my commitments as a Certified Companionship Instructor?

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When an individual becomes a Certified Companionship Instructor, s/he is committing to actively practicing Companionship in their community and to teaching two full three-hour Companionship Workshops per year with fidelity to the core program model and key messages.  Instructors are responsible for components of such workshops, including: 

 

• Recruiting participants and securing a training location 

• Collecting course fees

• Ordering and providing workshop materials for all participants

• Preparing course materials

• Compiling a list of local resources 

• Providing participant evaluations to The Companionship Movement and Pathways to Promise

 

9. How do I maintain my Certified Companionship Instructor Certification?

In order to maintain Certified Companionship Instructor certification, instructors are required to: 

• Teach their first workshop within six months of becoming certified

• Teach at least two workshops per year

• Provide a Companioning presence within your community

• Maintain satisfactory participant evaluation scores

• Engage in instructor/workshop refresher activities as instructed and available

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10. When should travel arrangements be made for Certified Companionship Instructor Training?

Do not make any travel arrangements until your application has been approved and you have received a letter/email of acceptance.