The 2006 Further Education Reform White Paper, ‘Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances’, announced plans for a ‘new higher standard’ to certify providers and colleges for their responsiveness to employers and their expertise in particular industry sectors. The standard was to build on the achievements of the Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) programme, but be open to all organisations.
CFE ran the year-long programme to research, develop, test and implement the Training Quality Standard (formerly known as the new standard).
Research
An evidence base was created using quantitative and qualitative research with 600 employers, drawing on focus group and telephone survey techniques to develop and prioritise a model of employer needs. In addition, to ensure the standard would be market-ready, CFE consulted with 400 providers and a wide range of stakeholders.
Developing the framework
From this evidence base, an assessment framework and supporting process were developed ready for testing. This framework drew on best practice in improvement and assessment.
Testing
Nearly 70 colleges, providers and universities were assessed against the standard for their employer responsiveness and some for their expertise in industry sectors. Fieldwork supported the testing and included verification visits with over 40 of the organisations, 2,000 telephone interviews with employer customers and 100 mystery shops.
Testing concluded in March 2007, and the lessons learned were used to significantly revise the standard and its assessment process, ready for deployment, following Ministerial approval.
Implementation
The standard has been open for applications since June 2007 and the number of certified colleges and providers continues to grow.
Further developments for the Training Quality Standard include the certification of Higher Education Institutions and employers’ own training facilities.
CFE are also working to complement the standard with arrangements to licence those offering advice to Training Quality Standard applicants.
For more information please contact Raj Patel on 0116 229 3300.