News

Leaders and Managers are first to benefit from new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)

The Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) has re-launched its entire range of Vocational Qualifications on the ground-breaking Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), bringing the benefits of flexible bite-sized development to over 80,000 leaders and managers annually.

In a major step forwards for vocational education, learners on ILM’s wide range of leadership and management-related qualifications will now be awarded transferable credits for every individual unit of learning they complete. This means that as well as studying for full ILM qualifications, learners can now choose to take individual units of learning through short courses, or mix and match units from across different qualifications to get the exact skills they need, with the option of building up to a full qualification over time. They will also be able to transfer credits across qualifications and use their online Learner Achievement Records to easily identify ‘progression routes’ to additional qualifications – with no need to repeat prior learning.

Penny de Valk, Chief Executive of ILM said:
'ILM is delighted to be pioneering this far more flexible and learner-friendly approach to skills development, which will be particularly relevant and beneficial to the UK’s leaders, managers and organisations. Unit-based learning makes it easier for managers to gain the key skills they need to meet the challenges of today, building towards qualifications at their own pace and continuing to improve and develop over the full length of their career. We have long been vocal supporters of the QCF and are pleased to be among the first to bring the many associated benefits to our customers and learners.’

Ken Boston, QCA's Chief Executive said:
‘By having its courses accredited as part of the new QCF, the ILM is in a position to offer leadership and management related qualifications which reflect the needs of both employers and learners of a more flexible and easily understood qualifications system.’
In addition to registering on the QCF, ILM has taken the opportunity to streamline its internal processes and introduce a fully revised quality assurance strategy thereby reducing paperwork and administration for its approved centres (colleges/universities, private trainers and major employers), with tailored support and monitoring.

Initial feedback among ILM’s customers has been very positive.

Robin Lodge, director of People Development Team said:
'The new credit framework offers a superb opportunity for us and, more importantly, our clients. We have already sold a range of QCF rated management qualifications and feedback from the employers is that the new system is giving them much more flexibility in meeting the skills needs of their workforces.'

Further information

Please contact Matt Adcock on 020 7294 3054 (office) or 07711 872753 (out of hours) / email: matt.adcock@i-l-m.com

Notes to editors

The Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) is part of the international City & Guilds group.

ILM is the largest provider of management education qualifications in Europe, building the skills of over 80,000 managers and leaders each year.

All ILM qualifications are designed to deliver practical business benefit to the individual, their team and the organisation they work for.

ILM's qualifications are delivered by 2,000 further education colleges, universities, training providers and companies in the UK and globally.

ILM is the professional membership body of choice for over 30,000 forward thinking managers and leaders providing a wide range of member benefits, support and development opportunities throughout their career.