How To Gain Course Accreditation

So you have completed your Level 3 Award in Education and Training, updated your insurance to include training and your getting ready to start delivering your courses. But... there is one thing you have yet to do and that is accredit your courses.

Maybe now you’re thinking, how do I get my course officially recognised by an accreditation body? Accreditation can be a minefield and with many accreditation companies to choose from it is important to know what you need to do to be recognised by one and which one is best for you. 

Accreditation is the process of approval and it ensures that your courses meet industry standards. The exact standards your courses will be compared against can vary depending on the accrediting body, but they’re usually looking at a combination of things including but not limited to course content, assessment methods, tutor qualifications, and student outcomes. It is their responsibility to ensure that your training offer is well-structured and will be beneficial to your learners. 

So where to begin? The first thing you will need to do is research the different accrediting bodies available for your specific courses. Not all accreditors cover all courses so you will need to ensure that the one you choose not only accredits your course but align with your niche, values, and the type of learners you work with.

Some accreditation boards have a broad education remit and cover a wide range of industries others are specific to our industry. We recommend narrowing down your search to 2-3 accreditors before completing deeper research. Check their website, read through FAQ's, look at their social media and reach out to them with any questions you may have. Look at their support, what you are getting for your investment in accreditation with them and how they differ against others in the market. We recommend reading through any guidance/criteria documents available to ensure you have a full understanding of your commitment when choosing them. 

Once you have chosen your accreditor and have full understanding of the documents required it's time to get your paperwork in order. This part is arguably the longest and admin-heavy but is crucial for accreditation. You will need to demonstrate a logical course structure, and evidence of how students are assessed. You’ll also need to include your own qualifications and any policies you have in place like complaints procedures.

When you’re ready to apply, follow the process outlined by the accreditation board. Most will ask for an application form and supporting documents. It’s normal to feel nervous at this stage, but remember we are not trying to catch you out. As an accreditation board we have to make sure your course is up to standard and that learners are going to achieve competence through it. In some cases feedback and small tweak may be required, don’t take it personally, it is all part of the process and will only help you strengthen what you’ve built.

The process of accreditation takes time. When the time comes start with the research, make a checklist of what you need, and give yourself time to put everything together. 

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