A new framework for professional practice
We all think we know what it means to be professional. We think of someone who is skilled, dependable and assured. Someone who does their job well. If you are a member of a recognised profession, you will want to be able to demonstrate to yourself and others (clients, employers, colleagues, peers) that you meet the expectations and standards of that profession. It then becomes important to be able to define professional practice with a little more precision, identifying the practices that underpin excellence in the field.
Professionalism is not just about competence, though of course we expect people to have the core skills and knowledge needed to do their job. Professional practice is about how you do that job in real-world environments: this might include reflecting on and developing your skills and knowledge, communicating and building relationships with others and behaving ethically. Being a professional is not just about demonstrating expertise and skills but knowing how and when to apply that knowledge.
What does professionalism look like for translators and interpreters? This question is particularly challenging in the current context of a rapidly changing and increasingly technology-centred environment. ITI has been working to pin this down, with the help of our members and colleagues in academia and other professional bodies, via our March 2026 consultation.
Why does ITI need a Professional Development Framework?
Many professions have a framework which they use to define the competencies and values expected of those working in that occupation. For regulated and licensed professions, such as medicine and law, frameworks are used for performance assessment, career progression and monitoring standards. More broadly, a professional framework can be an effective tool for guiding continuing professional development (CPD) and to promote a shared understanding of what ‘good’ looks like, both within and beyond the profession.
Adhering to a professional framework can help individuals ensure they are making decisions that align with the values and standards of their profession. It can also foster a sense of community and shared identity among professionals, which can enhance collaboration, innovation and the overall effectiveness of the profession.
For the translation and interpreting professions, a framework can provide a structured way to articulate the value of human expertise and the service that practitioners can provide to clients and employers. Currently, there is no professional framework specifically for translation and interpreting. At ITI we believe we are well placed to develop one.
Using the Professional Development Framework
ITI will use the new Professional Practice Framework to structure our CPD programme and design our CPD activities, and also as a reference point for our thought leadership and advocacy work.
For individual professionals, the framework should be a beneficial tool to help them plan their CPD, supporting them to maintain their practice and to reflect on their learning and growth. It can also be used as a marketing tool for business owners and agencies to show their alignment with professional standards and commitment to quality.
Understanding, supporting and promoting the professional practices that characterise excellence in translation and interpreting are central to ITI’s purpose. We are committed to enabling translators and interpreters to lead successful careers today and into the future. We believe that the framework we are developing will help us deliver this goal.
This article was first published in the July edition of ITI Insight.
