Who can apply?

We deliver training to employees within the organisation and to external organisations, so which version of the Standard should we apply for?

We use sub-contractors to deliver our training programmes, can we still apply for the Training Quality Standard for Employers?

How do I apply?

Who can apply?

Any organisation that is engaged in the provision and delivery of training and development solutions to its employees, and can meet the eligibility criteria, is able to apply for the Training Quality Standard for Employers. For a list of the eligibility criteria please refer to the eligibility page here.

We deliver training to employees within the organisation and to external organisations, so which version of the Standard should we apply for?

In these situations it can be difficult for organisations to decide if they should be applying for certification against the Training Quality Standard or the Training Quality Standard for Employers. One of the easiest things you can do is work out your motivations for achieving the Standard.

The headline differences between the two versions are laid out below:

The Training Quality Standard

• assesses an organisation’s responsiveness in providing training that meets the needs of its external employer customers

• assesses an organisation’s expertise in meeting the needs of a specific sector

• can be used to sell the organisation’s training offer outside of the organisation.

The Training Quality Standard for Employers

• assesses an organisation’s internal training function for its responsiveness in providing training and development solutions that meet customer needs

• assesses an organisation’s internal training function for its expertise in developing and deploying products and services that meet corporate aims and objectives

• can be used to promote the organisation’s training offer to customers within the organisation

• cannot be used to sell the organisation’s training offer outside of the organisation.

So if you want to use the badge to sell your training offer to people outside of your organisation, the mainstream version of the Training Quality Standard may be more appropriate. However, please see our ‘TQS Vs TQSE Decision Flowchart’ to help you further with this decision, which can be found on the eligibility page here.

Please also remember that dependant on which version of the Standard you decide is more appropriate to you, your organisation must be able to satisfy the eligibility criteria for the Training Quality Standard here, or the Training Quality Standard for Employers here.

We use sub-contractors to deliver our training programmes: can we still apply for the Training Quality Standard for Employers?

Yes, but these arrangements should be explained in your Application and you must be able to show that you manage these contracts effectively to meet the needs of your customers and the wider organisational aims and objectives.

How do I apply?

If you are interested in seeking Certification against the Training Quality Standard for Employers, the first step is to register with a licensed Certification Body. This will usually involve filling in a registration form or registering online; the steps you take though will depend on which Certification Body you choose. For more information on how to apply please see the next steps page here.