Centres of Vocational Excellence
Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) have earned their
status by showing they provide high-quality vocational education
and training. Many colleges and training providers are CoVEs
offering courses that are relevant to the science, engineering and
manufacturing sectors.
For a complete list of CoVE's click
here. Go to the ‘Area of Learning’
column to find those that are relevant to your business.
The CoVE initiative has helped raise standards in
provision. But in a bid to drive up standards still further a
new system to mark excellence has been introduced.
National Skills Academy
for Manufacturing
The National Skills Academy for
Manufacturing is an employer-led body that sets standards for the
content and delivery of training for UK manufacturers.
Click here to find out
more.
Training Quality Standard
The Training Quality Standard (TQS) is a new standard launched
in May 2008. It will take the place of CoVE status which will
cease in 2010.
For more information on the Training Quality Standard
click
here.
TQS puts employers’ needs first and sets out
to give them a good deal. It assesses training providers on
their responsiveness to employers’ demands and their ability to
deliver fit-for-purpose, sector-specific training.
The standard has two parts: Part A is
awarded to providers who have good mechanisms for responding to
employers throughout the whole organisation; Part B is awarded to
providers who can also demonstrate expertise in developing and
delivering training solutions for a particular sector.
Semta has worked with the Learning and
Skills Council to ensure that the engineering standard is relevant
to sector employers.
The first providers to achieve excellence in
engineering (Part B) are listed below. Others have achieved
Part A status.
- Chichester College
- Hartlepool College of Further Education
- Midland Group Training Services Limited
- NETA Training Trust
- Newcastle College
- Sutton Coldfield College
- Tameside College
- Telford College of Arts and Technology
- West Cheshire College
- West Suffolk College
Training Quality Standard benefits
The Training Quality Standard has been developed over a long
period. Employers, training providers (CoVE and non-CoVE
providers) and sector skills councils have helped develop the
standard.
Organisations applying for the quality standard, face a rigorous
assessment process and are reviewed by an employer panel.
By selecting providers with TQS status you can:
- have confidence in the training you are
buying
- cut costs of sourcing and taking delivery of
training
- increase the return on your investment in
training
Training Quality Standard for Employers
As an employer you can apply to have the
quality of your in-house training recognised. The first to be
certified under the Training Quality Standard for Employers
are:
- BMW Group Academy UK
- British Gas Engineering
Academy
- Jaguar Land Rover Technical
Academy
- Scania GB Ltd