Explainers are among the professions present in almost all museums and science centres around the world. However, their tasks, training, backgrounds, length of stay on the job – even the name used to define them – varies across different institutions. We can certainly say that we are far from an homogeneous situation. But do we need homogeneity? Do we need standards, formal certification or cohesion in training? Is this a lifetime job? Or should we opt for short professional experiences for university students, young graduates or professionals at the start of their career? The session engages debate about the need for standards and formal training for explainers across the sector and will examine the pros and cons of the different points of view.