Coaching Professions: The Need for Greater Professionalization – Anne-Laure Pams & Valérie Rocoplan, Co-Chairs of the Syntec Conseil Coaching Commission, for Cadre & Dirigeant Magazine
Driven by companies’ growing desire to rely on professional coaching amid societal and organizational changes, the coaching market is showing real dynamism (see the latest Opiiec* study). However, among the 33,000 trained professional coaches, only 15,000 are active, and for many, coaching represents a small percentage of their activity (often supplemented by other roles such as training). Given this observation, clarifying practices is necessary for this profession, which increasingly addresses growing corporate needs.
The Term “Coach” Hides Very Different Realities
There is a wide disparity among market players, particularly regarding the number of coaching hours delivered annually: 53% provide fewer than 100 hours per year, and 75% less than 200 hours. This volume can be explained by the coaches’ level of experience, as 50% have been practicing for less than five years. The hourly rate of professional coaches, reflecting a combination of skills, also varies widely (from €100 to €800 per session – average rate €240), potentially harming the profession’s clarity. Given their income level (53% currently earn less than €30,000 annually), many practicing coaches maintain another professional activity (about 50%).
Currently, 40% of coaches report not being supervised. Only 35% receive more than five hours of individual supervision per year, which is very low. Supervision is mandatory for any professional coach wishing to validate their practice. It serves as a crucial safeguard against ethical lapses or deviations from the profession’s increasingly standardized codes and protocols. Coaching associations such as ICF, EMCC, or SFCoach agree on the competencies and qualities required of professional coaches, as well as their moral obligation to be regularly supervised and trained to ensure a high level of service.
A Certification Process for Professional Coaches
As the professional union representing coaching companies in France, the Syntec Conseil Coaching Commission aims to make the coaching profession more transparent and contribute to its professionalization. The commission offers an individual accreditation process enabling employed coaches or contractual partners of companies to validate their skills, training, and essential qualities for coaching, as defined in this framework.
Clients (large corporations, SMEs, or mid-sized companies) increasingly expect:
Clear measurement of coaching results and progress toward objectives.
Transparency regarding coaches’ qualifications, certifications, and training.
The ability of coaches to understand organizational realities and act as genuine business and human partners.
As companies undergo profound transformations, coaching has become a recognized practice for talent development (management, leadership, personal and professional growth, team efficiency and cohesion). Sustainable growth of the coaching market will depend on coaches (independent and corporate) demonstrating full compliance with coaching codes, standards, and professional practices.
The Syntec Conseil Coaching Commission reiterates its commitment to helping organizations choose a coaching provider more wisely, considering quality criteria such as certification from a recognized coaching school, solid foundational and ongoing training, extensive experience and expertise, adherence to the Syntec Coaching Code of Ethics, and systematic supervision.
(*) OPIIEC Study “Professional Coaching and Supervision Professions,” September 2022 (https://www.opiiec.fr/etudes/137317)
(**) Syntec Conseil Coaching Commission and Ethics (https://syntec-conseil.fr/expertises/coaching/)
Tribune co-authored by Anne-Laure Pams and Valérie Rocoplan, CEO @Talentis, Comex Member Human & Work, and co-chairs of Syntec Coaching.