PRINZ members achieve internationally-recognised accreditation

18 PRINZ members achieve internationally-recognised accreditation

A further 18 public relations practitioners can now put the letters APR after their names, following the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand’s (PRINZ) accreditation programme for 2010.

Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) is an internationally-recognised qualification for PRINZ members with at least five years’ practical experience in the industry.

The successful candidates for 2010 are: Leah Evans (Wellington), Kathryn Farrow (Auckland), Lianne Fraser (Taupo), Alexandra Grenfell (Whakatane), Lee Harris (Christchurch), Amanda Healy (Christchurch), Andree Kai Fong (Wellington), Philip Langenhoven (Wellington), Jennifer Little (Auckland), Roger Matthews (Auckland), Anna McIntyre (Wellington), Rosemarie North (Wellington), Sneha Paul (Auckland), Gillian Thomas (Auckland), Serene Tng (Wellington), Jacquie Walters (Keri Keri), Rob Warner (Auckland) and Linda Willoughby (Waihi).

PRINZ National President Graeme Purches says APR is a mark of distinction and demonstrates commitment to the profession and to its ethical practice.

“For clients or employers, APR provides surety that our public relations professionals have the knowledge, skills and experience to provide sound advice and services.”

“APR is a key component of PRINZ’s Continuing Professional Development programme, and as we continue to lead the industry on the road to professionalism in the truest sense of the word, APR will increasingly become a career-development must.”

Chief Examiner Joseph Peart congratulated the successful candidates: “They have demonstrated broad knowledge, experience and competence in professional practice – bench marked against universal standards.”

APR involves six months of intensive study whereby candidates must complete a number of written assignments and manage a major project. They also write case study solutions in an exam setting and are interviewed by a panel of senior practitioners to determine their level of skills and knowledge of the profession.

PRINZ intends to work closer with human resources personnel and employers to raise awareness of APR when recruiting senior communications staff.

The Graduation ceremony for the central region was held on 19 November, for Christchurch on 2 December and for the northern region will be held on 7 December.

ENDS

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