Accreditation of Training Programmes

Accreditation of Training Programmes Accreditation of Training Programmes is published by the Education for Business Managers and Administrators herein referred EBMA. The publication is protected under copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be produced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission to be addressed to CEO at the EBMA. 1

Contents Page Number Section 1: Introduction 3 Section 2: Necessary Explanations 3 Section 3: Procedures for accreditation of Training Programmes 5 Section 4: Application Assessment Process 13 Section 5: Period of Accreditation 14 Section 6: Maintenance of Accreditation 14 Section 7: Renewal of Accreditation 14 Section 8: Appeals Procedure 14 Section 9: EBMA Qualifications Framework 15 2

Section 1: Introduction Numbers of organisations are running bespoke in house training programmes to support their organisational internal systems and processes. EBMA accreditation adds real value to an organisation training programmes. EBMA validation service is an independent quality assurance for the design, delivery, assessment and moderation of educational programmes which empowers the organisations in their aspirations to provide a robust and reliable basis for the development of the future managers and administrators. Section 2: Necessary Explanations EBMA has provided a detailed procedure for accreditation of training programmes in this handbook. Further to this EBMA has provided simple explanations to smooth clarify and support the procedure. Such explanations are not exhaustive as follows: - 1. Accreditation Accreditation is the process by which EBMA use an approach to view the organisation s courses design, delivery, assessment and moderation procedures and the suitability of the learning resources to support students achievement of learning outcomes. 2. Training programmes Training programme is the course designed by the organisation for the learners to meet the organisational needs. 3. Learning outcomes Learning outcomes are statements that student is expected to understand, know, or able to do on complete of learning processes, unit or course. 4. Rationales of the programme Rationale of the programme demonstrate organisational objective to design the course to meet the organisational needs. Organisations must explain reasons for the development of course. 5. Work based learning Work-based learning presents students with opportunities to learn course while they work. The learning experience should be designed to relate the organisation to the workplace. It is important for the organisation that learning outcomes are identified and students experience and learning should be monitored. There should be fit between course structure and the work place to explore learners learning in structured way. 6. Assessment Assessment describes the process by which individuals knowledge, understanding, abilities or skills are appraised. Organisations can use more than one type of assessment to demonstrate the learning experience of students. 3

7. Guided learning time This is the measure of the substance of a qualification. Guided learning hours includes learning hours that a learners should spend in the training place. It includes staff-led lectures, tutorials and facilitated study. 8. Verification system Verification system is the process by which organisation internal verifiers validate students assessment. EBMA guide for internal moderation and assessment is useful guide for centres where centres can device internal moderation reports to ensure quality assurance procedures are carried out within centre/organisation. 4

Section 3: Procedure for Accreditation of Training Programmes The procedure to accredit training courses consists of two stages: - Part A: Part B: Accreditation of the Organisation Qualification Accreditation/Validation Part A: Accreditation of the Organisation EBMA validation approach demonstrates that organisation offering training programmes must meet the following criteria: - Management Systems Verification System Learning Resources Assessment Process Learners' support 1. Management Systems 2. Learning Resources 3. Learners Support 4. Assessment Process 5. Verification System Management Systems: Organisation should meet the following criteria that its management systems support the programme(s) to be accredited by the EBMA. Following elements will be reviewed in this process: - 1. Aims and Policies 2. Fair Assessment Practice 5

3. Assessment and Verification Team 4. Communication System 5. Registration and Certification Process 6. Information Technology System 7. Candidate Record Management System 8. Premises 9. Internal Verification, Assessment and Moderation System Learning Resources: The organisation must have sufficient and competent staff to teach the training programme. It should support staff development programme; there must be health and safety procedures, and there are learning resources for specific award/qualification. Learners Support: Learners support is an important criterion where learners can get support from the organisation in specific training programmes. EBMA ensures following criteria must be met by the organisation for specific award to meet the candidate support, 1. Advice and Guidance for Candidates 2. Candidate Development Needs 3. Review of Assessment Plans 4. Assessment Methods 5. Assessment Requirements 6. Appeals Procedures 7. Verification System Assessment and Verification: Organisation must meet the criteria that internal verification/moderation procedures are accurate and there is consistency and fairness in the assessment decisions. Following elements are reviewed by the EBMA to meet these criteria, 1. Internal Verification/moderation procedures 2. Consistency and Fairness of Assessment Decisions 3. Records of Internal Verifier/Moderator 4. Effective internal verification/moderation strategy 5. Qualified and Occupationally Competent Assessors and Verifiers Records Organisation must fulfil the following records management criteria which includes 1. Organisation achievements 6

2. Feedback for evaluation 3. External verifiers reports and actions 4. Monitoring and reviewing of organisation s equal opportunity policy and procedures. EBMA will ensure that organisation have met the required criteria and satisfied that its Management System, Learning Resources, Candidate Support, Assessment and Verification System, Record Management comply with EBMA quality assurance mechanism to offer training /qualifications to learners. 7

Part B: Qualification Accreditation / Validation Qualification validation is process where organisation can design Qualifications /training programmes to increase the employment opportunities for its learners. Organisation must complete the Qualification Accreditation Form and submit with: - 1) Organisation details 2) Training programmes specification 3) Rationale of the programme 4) Target group of learners 5) Entry requirements 6) Progressions opportunities 7) Resources for learners 8) Internal verification/moderation procedure 9) Financial Resources Design Moderation Delivery Validation Assessment Financial Resource Resources Candidate Support 1) Organisation details includes a) Name of the organisation b) Address (trading and registered) c) Organisation coordinator d) Examination officer(s) e) Head of Centre f) Head of the organisation g) Organisation contact details (Telephone, email, web-address, fax number) h) Company registration document (e.g. incorporation) i) Types of organisation 8

2) Training programme specification a) Title of programme Concise, meaningful Relevant to the training/qualification sector b) Aims and Objective of programme Meaningful and comprehensive Objective c) Industry / sector Qualification/training relevance to the specific industry and outcome of that qualification in relation to that industry / sector. d) Level of programme Framework and their descriptor (Page No.14) EBMA Qualifications Framework (Page No.13) e) The programme s structure including learning outcomes and assessment criteria Framework and their descriptor (Page No.14) Appropriate structure of qualification/training programme Strategic fit of the learning objectives Learning objective should support learning contents Examples, arguments and other key information to support learning, teaching and assessment methods. Special needs learners support in learning and assessment. Use of information technology in the learning and assessment. Comprehensive details on the information technology (IT/ information systems etc.) to support learning and teaching objectives. Examination Policy for the assessment of qualification/training programme. Examination script 9

f) Delivery requirement and length of programme Guided Learning Hours Grand Learning Hours Independent Study Credit value of units/modules g) Learning Time Total learning time to complete that training/qualification. h) Assessment of the programme Total learning time to complete that training/qualification. 3) Rationale of the programme Organisation must specify reasons for the development of programme. Age group relevant to that qualification Previous work experience and knowledge Students learning ability 4) Target Group of Learners Organisation seeking training accreditation/validation must provide the target group of learners. Age group relevant to that qualification Previous work experience and knowledge Students learning ability 5) Entry Requirement Organisation seeking training accreditation / validation must provide information on minimum entry requirement to attend this qualification. For example, recommendation prior knowledge, attainment or experience etc Previous work experience 10

Previous qualification/training or attainment Balance between guided learning hours to achieve the overall aim of the programme. 6) Progression Opportunities Organisation should provide document describing progression opportunities of the training/qualification both in employment and for further education. Continuous professional development Further education opportunities Employment opportunities 7) Resources for learners Resources are facilities that the organisation is providing to its learners Library, Computer lab, On campus internet/wi-fi facility, Online resources, Qualification induction and career progressions. 8) Internal Verification / Moderation Procedure Organisation seeking training accreditation must demonstrate that it has internal verification procedures in place to moderate the award. Documented Internal Verification policy and procedures that should demonstrate roles and responsibilities of qualification/training providers, internal moderators, internal verifier, tutors and assessors. Internal verification flowchart Internal moderation feedback Sample internal verification plan Internal verification report(s) on assessment 9) Assessment Procedures Organisation must demonstrate that it has assessment procedures in place to assess the knowledge of learners. Fair assessment policy and procedure. 11

Relationship between the learning objectives, learning outcomes and assessment criteria. 10) Financial Resources The organisation should demonstrate that the levels of overall financial resources are appropriate to achieve the training/qualification objective. Financial plan including planned and actual financial performance will be checked. Cost of registration, certification, examination and other cost in awarding that qualification must be according marketable and it should support qualification/training sustainability in market. Submission of Application Training provider(s) can apply any time for accreditation of their training by sending a complete Qualification Accreditation Form along with requisite documents addressed to qualifications manager at the EBMA or email at info@ebma.org.uk Once received, your application will be acknowledged within 5 working days. 12

Section 4: Application Assessment Process Step1 Training Accreditation form will be sent to the EBMA of each award Step2 Invoice produced after final confirmation from the organisation Invoice cleared Step3 Training accreditation form and supporting evidences are checked for each award/qualification If no question arise, Go to Step 5 Step4 Request for further information from the organisation Once Information received, Go to Step 3 Step5 Project will be discussed with the CEO & Business Development / Accreditation Officer If any issue arise, Go to Step 3 Step6 Review of Systems and Procedures Review of Qualifications/Training Hanbooks - Learning Outcomes & Assessment Criteria Step7 Request for Sample Assessment of each qualification Training Mapping Process to NOS (If necessary) Step8 Feedback to the Organisation with action plans If no action required / All action completed Arrangement of Meeting with the Head of Centre/Organisation (if necessary) and Review of Premises and Strategic Plan including systems and processes Step9 Agreement with the Organisation designed by the EBMA including timescale, review date, meeting, cost and payment, registration and certification etc. Step10 If agreed by the Organisation, Sample certificate will be produced by the EBMA including both parties Marketing material will be produced by the Organisation for the Approval from the EBMA 13

Section 5: Period of Accreditation Accreditation will be provided for a period of three years. It is difficult to predict precisely how long the process to accredit the training programmes will take. EBMA will attempt to expedite the process once application is received. Under normal circumstances training programme accreditation will be completed with two months of their receipt. Section 6: Maintenance of Accreditation Accreditation will be retained within the period of accreditation which is three years subject to the following mandatory conditions are met appropriately: - The learning centre continues and keeps compliance with the programme accreditation procedure. The learning centre must provide an annual monitoring report related to accredited programmes to the EBMA. All proposed changes to the accredited training programme have been notified in reasonable time to the EBMA before such changes are being made. Compliance with the agreed plan at the end of the accreditation application for training programmes. Section 7: Renewal of Accreditation The organisation should apply in advance of the accreditation expiry date mentioned on the certificate of accreditation. EBMA will notify the accredited centre for renewal of accreditation of its courses and will provide with sufficient time. The renewal procedure is same as mentioned above. The accredited centre has to provide with documented evidences to meet with the procedure of the accreditation at the current time. In this case further information may be sought by the EBMA. Section 8: Appeals procedure In the case of refusal, appeal will go to the Quality Assurance Committee. Detailed appeal procedure can be downloaded from the EBMA website or copy of it can be obtained from the centre support team. 14

Section 9: EBMA Qualifications Framework (based on QCF) Qualification Level Award (1 to 12 Credits) 7 EBMA Postgraduate Award Certificate (13 to 36 Credits) EBMA Postgraduate Certificate 6 EBMA Graduate Award EBMA Graduate Certificate 5 EBMA Advanced Award EBMA Advanced Certificate Diploma (37 credits or more) EBMA Postgraduate Diploma EBMA Graduate Diploma EBMA Advanced Diploma Framework for Higher Education Qualification in England, Wales and Northern Ireland Master s Degree Postgraduate Diploma Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Postgraduate Certificate Bachelor s Degree with Honours Bachelor s Degree Graduate Diplomas, Graduate Certificate Foundation Degrees, Diplomas of Higher Education, Higher National Diploma 4 EBMA Award EBMA Certificate EBMA Diploma Higher National Certificate, Certificates of Higher Education What is the QCF? The Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is a way of recognising achievement through the ward of credit for units and qualifications; it has been designed to simplify the current qualifications systems making it easier to understand and more responsive to employer and learner needs. QCF and its relation with the EQF The QCF is the Qualifications and Credit Framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The QCF came into operation in 2008 and it is replacing the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). In Wales it forms part of the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW). In Scotland the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) works slightly differently. Each country in Europe has its own level system, but from 2010 onwards they will be linked to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). The relationship between QCF and EQF levels and between the EQF and the SCQF (Scottish) levels is as follows: QCF Entry1-2 Entry3 1 2 3 4-5 6 7 8 EQF -- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 SCQF 1-2 3 4 5 6 7-8 9-10 11 12 15

Credit Levels and their Descriptors Framework Level 8 Level 7 Level 6 Level 5 Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1 Make a significant and original contribution to a specialised field of enquiry demonstrating a command of methodological issues and engaging in critical dialogue with peers. Display mastery of complex and specialised area of knowledge and skills, employing advanced skills to conduct research or advanced technical or professional activity. It also reflects relevant theoretical and methodological perspectives, and how they affect their area of work / study. Critical review, consolidate and extend a systematic and coherent body of knowledge. Critically evaluate new concepts and evidence from a range of sources. Transfer and apply diagnostic and creative skills and exercise significant judgement in a range of situations. It also reflects different approaches or school of thoughts to solve complex problems in appropriate way. General ideas through the analysis of concepts at an abstract level with a command of specialised skills and the formulation of responses to well defined and abstract problems. It reflects school of thoughts and the reasoning behind that to address specific problem / judgements. Develop a rigorous approach to the acquisition of a broad knowledge base. Employee a range of specialised skills and evaluate information using it to plan and develop investigative strategies. Determine solution to unpredictable problems. Apply knowledge and skills in a range of complex activities demonstrating comprehension of relevant theories. Access and analyse information independently and make reasoned judgements under specified policies and procedures. Complete well defined tasks and address relevant problems within the organisation or in workplace. Addressed problems will be solved under appropriate guidance or diction given by line manager. Ability to use relevant knowledge, skills and procedures to complete tasks which are subject to direction or specific direction given by the higher authority or line manager. 16