> The ERM designation is currently only valid for five years.


That's the first time I've heard that, and it is good to hear.  Also, this
is the first time I've heard the ERM referred to as a "designation", which
I'm more accustomed being related to a professional certification, but I
digress...

  The comments so far have been right on. Employers may or may not be aware
> of the differences between the CRM and the ERM, but both are an indication
> that a certain level of knowledge has been met.


Sad but true,  many employers don't understand what a CRM is either. It's
required and/or desired in some job postings, but the HR people for the most
part don't know what it means. In the last position I was hired into, it was
listed as desired and I told the HR person I didn't have it, but knew what
it was and felt I had equal or greater experience and knowledge to satisfy
the requirement.

Her question back to me was "You said you know what it is?  Could you tell
me?" =)

I think we are still battling to inform business that we exist... they are
becoming PAINFULLY AWARE of the need for a Records Management Program, and
especially a Records Retention Schedule, but they are still not aware that a
pool of people skilled in practicing this Black Art exist. @=^)  But we're
breaking down that wall of ignorance, brick by brick.

Are the two equal - no, they are not - not even close. If employers are not
> aware of the difference, it is up to us, the ICRM, and ARMA to help them
> understand.


Truer words have not been spoken.  And that's not only  true about
"certificates and certifications", it's about RECORDS MANAGEMENT as a whole
body of knowledge and afield of skilled practitioners and professionals.
And it's not solely ARMA and the ICRM who need to do this, it's US... each
and every one of us can play a part in promoting what we do and what we
know, and we NEED to do that.

  Isn't this one of the goals of the ARMA Competency program?


Not really.  This program (which is still in it's infancy) is intended first
and foremost as a self-assessment tool for people working in the field of
RIM to determine their knowledge, skills, and abilities against a set of
tasks identified as those routinely and regularly performed by RIMs at
various levels across the broadest spectrum of industries.  Work is still
being done to focus in on tasks specific to certain industry segments that
have unique tasks and duties associated with them, as well as the possible
unique requirements of RIMs in other Nations or those working in
Multi-National organizations.

The intent is for individuals to identify "gaps" in their knowledge base and
to assist them in determining  educational and other training "tools" to
help them in closing those gaps.  By doing so, it will enable them to not
only perform existing  jobs more successfully, but to potentially further
their careers and be considered for advancement within their organizations,
or to move on to other positions.

At some point, there is hope that employers will be able to use these
Competencies to assist them in writing position descriptions and position
announcements, and cite in known RIM terminology, the KSAs they are looking
for in candidates and employees... but that is a ways away.

Larry
-- 
Larry Medina
Danville, CA
RIM Professional since 1972

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