Institute accredits Kent & Medway Learndirect
Garrie Owens, executive manager of the Kent and Medway learndirect hub, has secured external accreditation - from the Institute of IT Training (IITT) - for some 20 of his learndirect centres, following a pilot project, begun in August last year, which was jointly funded by Learning Skills Council (LSC) and University for Industry (UfI).
Owens commented: "We have absolute confidence in our processes and the validity of the learning opportunities which we make available through the learndirect banner.
"However, we might have been insular in our views, so I saw IITT and its Learning Centre accreditation process as a source of external expertise from which we could benefit. The accreditation process was not a threat - the concept of failure was never really an issue - rather, it was the kudos of external recognition of my centres which was the driver for the project."
The accreditation process unfolded with half-day meetings at the nominated centres with the discussion, review and evidence gathering which is a key part of the Institute's accreditation process. Using a mix of observation, balanced score-card analysis and 'tick box' checking, the IITT's assessors produced reports showing a matrix of key performance indicators (KPI), corresponding actions and recommendations.
"The process is rigorous," explained Owens, "but its real value stems from the expertise and advice which is part and parcel of the meeting and the subsequent report. Even more importantly, the process is reviewed - half yearly as a pulse-feeling exercise and annually as a full renewal exercise.
"Year-on year the KPI matrix is re-evaluated for each centre. Performance monitoring and continuous improvement are not merely a lip-service activity."
Owens added: "These are critical processes in any centrally managed operation - made even more valid through the external validation of the Institute and the expertise which it brings to the party."
Senior IITT accreditation consultant and project manager for learning centre accreditations, Ian James, revealed: "Some of the centre staff were 'warn-down' with inspection after inspection by various bodies but the two-way exchange, which is the basis of our accreditation process, took them by surprise.
"The IITT's accreditation process is based on observation, advice and documentation. It took a while for the message to get through that accreditation is a basis for review, discussion and continuous improvement and not 'cold' inspection and point scoring."
Owens observed: 'The pilot highlighted things that we knew already and confirmed many of our beliefs. Its value was that it produced a holistic view of our operations, comparing centre with centre and, for each centre, developed an action plan for improvement."
Owens continued: "Now that they can display IITT logos and the 'Accredited by the Institute of IT Training' tagline, they are better able compete head-to-head in their quest for commercial business.
"Companies expect commercial standards for the delivery of training to their staff and I feel that we have now proved that learndirect measures up to the highest of those standards," he added. "I aim to work with the Institute to support the rest of my centres to work towards accreditation and to make the accreditation process part of the hub's own management, quality and marketing process."
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