The initiative has been developed to raise awareness of the challenges faced by recruiters, increase the understanding of those in the recruitment supply chain and improve the research recruitment environment.

Training materials, for use by recruiters and those responsible for training recruiters, are now available at: mrs.org.uk/recruiters.

There are five RAS learning modules available: Introduction to Qualitative Market and Social Research; Traditional Recruitment Methods for Qualitative Research; New and Emerging Recruitment Techniques; Data Protection and GDPR; and Project Management.

The scheme aims to offer professional recognition for recruiters and recruitment organisations; increase awareness of the issues around poor recruitment and improve standards; offer buyers access to a pool of professionally recognised accredited recruiters.

MRS and AQR are in the process of developing the online qualification, which will allow recruiters to become accredited. This is expected to launch by the end of 2019.

Phyllis Macfarlane, chair of MRS, said: “There is nothing more important to the quality of qualitative research than the recruitment of the respondents, so a focus on demonstrating the skills and qualifications of our professional recruiters is very timely. They are amongst the unsung heroes of our industry.  They do a superb job and deserve recognition – the Recruiter Accreditation Scheme is designed to achieve that.”