Mediation Works Incorporated (MWI) offers two options for mediation training, both of which are designed to prepare professionals to effectively facilitate the mediation process.  Despite the similarities, MWI’s “Executive Forty-Hour Mediation Training” and MWI’s “Forty-Hour Mediation Training” offer participants two unique program options designed to meet individual interests.

Clicking on the following FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) will answer many questions relating to MWI’s the Executive Forty-Hour Mediation Training and the Forty-Hour Mediation Training Programs.

1. What should I look for in a mediation training program?

2. What are the differences between the Executive Forty-Hour Mediation Training and the Forty-Hour Mediation Training Program?

3. Who attends MWI’s basic mediation training programs?

4. Why the difference in price between the Executive and Forty-Hour Mediation Training Programs?

5. Who are the trainers?

6. What do participants get after completing either training program?

What should I look for in a mediation training program?

Participating in mediation training requires a significant investment in terms of time and money.  There are a number of questions and factors you should consider when making such a commitment.

• Experience - Assess the experience of the training team and the training provider.  Who is the training team and are they full-time mediators?  What about the training provider? Ask the training provider for specifics about the trainers and the types of clients they serve.  Do they mediate the types of cases that you plan to mediate?  Ask for references.
   

• Training methodology - A training provider should be able to clearly define the goals and format of the mediation training program.  What types of cases will the mediation training program prepare participants to mediate?  What style of mediation will be taught?  What is the balance of lecture, interactive exercises and discussion?  How many role-plays will be conducted and how many opportunities will each participant have to mediate?  Will each role-play be accompanied by a single coach for the duration of the role-play or will trainers be "floating" between sessions?  Ask.
   

• Post-training support and opportunities - If you're looking to mediate following a mediation training, it's critical that you develop a plan to meet that goal.  Find out if your training provider offers such opportunities and what is the fee, if any.

Since 1994, Mediation Works Incorporated has provided quality mediation training to thousands of professionals, organizations and corporations around the world.  Please contact MWI's Executive Director and lead trainer, Chuck Doran at cdoran@mwi.org or 617-973-9739 x22 to learn more about MWI's mediation trainings, including post-training mediation opportunities, advanced training and mentor programs.

What are the differences between the Executive Forty-Hour Mediation Training and the Forty-Hour Mediation Training Program?

The primary difference between the two programs is the format.  MWI’s Executive Forty-Hour Mediation Training Program is a consecutive, five-day Monday through Friday format with each day running from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.  MWI's Forty-Hour Mediation Training Program is designed for people who would prefer a weekend and evening schedule.  The Forty-Hour program consists of seven sessions taking place over two full weekends (Saturday, Sunday, Saturday, Sunday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM each day) and three Wednesday evenings from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.  Another difference between the two programs is the Executive Mediation program has two guest speakers from the Boston business mediation community, namely, David Hoffman, who presents on confidentiality in mediation and Jim McGuire who shares his experiences on chairing an ADR Practice Group in a large law firm.

Who attends MWI’s basic mediation training programs?

Since MWI started offering mediation training in 1994, a consistent pattern has developed.  A third tends to be members of the legal community (attorneys, probation officers, and judges) a third from the mental health field (therapists, counselors, social workers, and psychologists) and the remaining participants are business consultants, administrators and graduate students.  In addition, the Executive Mediation Program has a greater number of professionals from out of state given the consecutive five-day schedule.

Why the difference in price between the Executive and Forty-Hour Mediation Training Programs?

A number of factors contribute to the Executive Forty-Hour Mediation Training Program being more expensive than the Forty-Hour Mediation Training Program.  One, the Executive Program provides lunch and refreshments throughout the training as well as a reception for participants and trainers.  Although the Forty-Hour program provides refreshments throughout the training. lunch is not provided.  Second, renting space during the week for the Executive Program is more expensive than renting space during the evening and on weekends.

Who are the trainers?

MWI’s mediation trainers are seasoned practitioners with a proven record of accomplishments in the field of dispute resolution.   For a group of 24 participants, we provide three lead trainers and three to four roleplay coaches per training day.  Biographies of each lead trainer are available on this web site by visiting either the Executive Forty-Hour Mediation Training and the Forty-Hour Mediation Training Program pages.

What do participants get after completing either training program?

Participants receive a “Certificate of Completion” in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws chapter 233 section 23C (Mediation Confidentiality Statute). MWI also offers opportunities to gain mediation experience for participants who successfully complete either mediation training program.  To be eligible to join MWI's BMC & District Court Mediation Program Panel, mediators must observe two mediations and co-mediate with an experienced MWI mediator in BMC & District Court after the program.  Detailed information about MWI’s BMC & District Court Mediation Program can be found by clicking here.
 

Please contact Mediation Works Incorporated at 800-348-4888 or mwi@mwi.org for more information.

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