Awarding bodies are responsible for creating and assessing the qualifications training providers deliver. But what do you need to know before you choose one? We have compiled the 8 most important considerations for picking your awarding organisation.
What does an awarding organisation do?
An awarding body’s role is to design qualifications that fit the needs of the relevant sector. Awarding organisations must also develop assessment methods to ensure that learner skill, knowledge and competency can be measured against the demands of the industry. Training providers then use their industry expertise to deliver training and education to learners, ready for them to be assessed.
Because of this, choosing the right awarding body is a crucial decision for both training providers and the learners they will mould into industry professionals. However, with over 200 awarding organisations throughout the UK, selecting the right one can be confusing.
We have compiled the 8 most important things to consider before deciding on your awarding body.
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- Clear communication
- Online learning
- A Dedicated account manager
- Accessible community of experts
- E-portfolio Access
- Regulated qualifications
- International recognition
- Transparent processes
1. Clear communication
Whether you’re the most experienced educator or are at the very beginning of your teaching career, there are times when something unexpected comes up and you need clear, swift and effective communication channels between you and your awarding body. The first thing to look for is an easily accessible customer support team that will be there to support you via phone and email. From technical assistance to day-to-day guidance, VTCT’s expert team of customer support colleagues will be there to support you via phone and email.
2. Online learning
The uncertainty of the past year has meant that many have had to adapt to new ways of teaching and learning. And hybrid learning is here to stay. It is crucial to consider whether an awarding body can adapt to the needs of the current learning environment when you are making your selection. For example, VTCT gives hair, barbering and beauty centres complimentary access to the tailored Pivot Point LAB platform to support at-home learning. We also have qualifications that can be completed partially or fully remotely, to assist you to deliver in a blended learning environment.
3. A Dedicated account manager
Having a dedicated point of call from the beginning of your journey with your awarding body gives you a smooth and personalised transition. From onboarding you to the systems and processes required to being there to solve your queries quickly, professionally and courteously, an account manager that is committed to you is invaluable. When you join VTCT, you are allocated an account manager to steer you through the processes and help you get the best out of being a VTCT approved centre.
4. Accessible community of experts
Your choice of awarding body needs to have a team of experts ready to help you achieve the best outcomes for your learners. Urgent technical queries like clarifying assessment methods, quality assurance protocols or curriculum content can arise at any time. Highly skilled subject matter experts, including a team of external quality assurers and examiner’s support with many years of industry experience, help VTCT centres achieve learner success.
5. E-portfolio Access
Recording and evidencing learner ability is one of the most vital responsibilities you have as a training provider. So, when looking for an awarding body, you need to make sure there is a simple way to do this. Our E-portfolio allows you to capture learner progress quickly and map it to qualification objectives or assessment criteria in one centralised system – saving time and stress.
6. Regulated qualifications
Selecting an awarding body with regulated qualifications gives you the benefit of delivering qualifications that have been reviewed, checked and verified by external regulators. This guarantees that they are fit for purpose and up to industry standards. If you choose an unregulated awarding body, you run the risk of delivering qualifications that may be out of date, leave gaps in learners’ knowledge and may not be recognised by future employers.
Our qualifications sit on the Ofqual regulated qualifications framework (RQF) and articulate with the European Qualifications Framework and the NQF in Ireland.
7. International recognition
Globalisation has meant that the world is now more interconnected than ever. Qualifications that are only recognised in one country are no longer sufficient and learners want to know that your training can take them anywhere in the world. A VTCT qualification is recognised internationally, with over 2,000 centres offering our qualifications across the globe.
8. Transparent processes
Getting to grips with processes and procedures is unavoidable as a training provider. To save unnecessary time and stress, it’s crucial you select an awarding organisation with straightforward, efficient processes as well as detailed guidance. VTCT training providers have access to a wide range of webinars, step-by-step tutorials and guidance documents available to eliminate avoidable confusion.
Becoming a VTCT training provider means gaining all of the great benefits listed above. Click here to find out how to become a centre with us or click here to contact us if you have further questions.