Does Your Organisation want Approved Centre Status?

Any organisation or business wanting to become an approved centre for the delivery of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) will need to apply to its choice of Awarding Body (varies with the particular occupational mix) and prepare to satisfy their exacting requirements. This usually culminates in a formal visit by an inspector who will physically check that the essential requirements can be provided and supported by the prospective Approved Centre.

Different Awarding Bodies place emphasis on a variety of qualities considered essential for gaining approved centre status. These can be summarised as:-

• Sufficient vocational competent and 'D' Unit qualified assessor/s (holders of D32/D33) - having only trainee assessors will not be enough for approved centre status
• Sufficient vocationally competent and 'D' Unit qualified internal verifier/s (D34) - (can't be a single person for both Assessor and Internal Verifier roles) - in other words you need a minimum of 2 people to establish an Approved Centre - one with D32/D33 and the other with D34
• Available Staff CVs for occupational competencies and/or qualifications
• Existing or planned implementation of Legal & Statutory Requirements such as Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety at Work.
• A formalised Appeals Procedure to handle disputes between clients and staff
• Administrative capacity to track candidates by either a paper or computer based system
• Back up arrangements so that clients are not disadvantaged by staff or equipment problems
• Business Plan including expected throughput numbers and potential candidate base
• Vocational Equipment
• Training facilities (if required)
• Willingness to be regularly inspected and checked out by an External Verifier or Centre Development Manager
• Commit to open and random inspections by awarding body, QCA and Skills Councils (if taking government subsidies)
• More - depending on the awarding body you go with or try out!

We offer a full consultancy service to companies and organisations seeking centre status.