Employers and training providers have joined forces to formally launch an innovative new standard, designed and endorsed by employers, which will recognise and highlight excellence amongst training providers.
The Training Quality Standard was developed to give employers a simple benchmark for choosing training provision. Achieving the standard demonstrates providers’ ability to offer high quality training at a time and place to suit employers – designed to make it easier for employers to find the right training solutions for them.
Employers have been involved every step of the way in the creation of the assessment and accreditation system.
During the assessment process training providers are assessed against two key criteria: responsiveness to employer needs and excellence in a particular vocational area
Skills minister David Lammy today officially launched the Training Quality Standard at an event at the Hilton London Metropole – congratulating 31 new providers from across the country who have recently achieved the standard.
Supporters of the new accreditation system who attended the event included the Confederation of British Industry, Regional Development Agencies, the Association of Learning Providers, Associated of Colleges, Sector Skills Councils and DIUS representatives.
Speaking at the launch, David Lammy said: “I am delighted to congratulate the providers who have achieved the Training Quality Standard. Training is at the heart of any successful enterprise and by bringing training providers and employers together to deliver economically valuable skills and qualifications we will make high quality training accessible for all. The Training Quality Standard will be a mark that employers can trust and I hope many more providers will, in time, go on to achieve it.”
A unique attribute of the Training Quality Standard is that it is not attached to public funding or investment and is open to both publicly and privately funded organisations.
Jaine Clarke, director of skills for employers, LSC, said: “Crucial to increasing employer investment in the skills of their workforce is the ability to identify and select training providers who can deliver high quality, flexible and responsive provision that is directly relevant and addresses the skills gaps in their business - the Training Quality Standard will take the guesswork and the pain out of the process for employers.
“I hope the achievement of these employers and training providers motivates others to follow suit and work towards achieving the Training Quality Standard.”
One training provider who has already achieved the standard is Lewisham College. The college was keen to be among the first to apply for assessment against the Training Quality Standard as they feel it offers something the training industry has long needed to identify good provision.
Mark Cook, director of business development at Lewisham College said of achieving the standard: “The focus on impacts and outcomes, as well as structures and processes, meant that by testing ourselves against it, we could identify areas of good practice, as well as areas for improvement.”
The Training Quality Standard launched informally in 2007 and has been well received: more than 70 providers have started the application process and 31 have achieved it.
