How to become an IITT Authorised Centre

For the IITT's TPMA to be run effectively and conform to the IITT's well established professional body status, the delivery organisations, typically commercial training providers and internal training departments, need to demonstrate their ability, commitment and resource to run the service.

As with any quality process, once an organisation has achieved the necessary entry criteria, there are ongoing reviews and verifications to ensure the integral standards continue to be met. The IITT has therefore built an extra layer of conformity and associated quality controls onto its already successful organisational accreditation programme to achieve a well structured, managed and results driven process. This is embodied in the two authorisation processes for organisations leading to becoming either an IITT Authorised Assessment Centre or an IITT Authorised Qualification and Assessment Centre.

Authorised Assessment Centre (AAC)

An IITT Authorised Assessment Centre (AAC) is an approved centre that is authorised to run TPMA assessments for trainers which, in the context of this process, refers to assessments of trainers on their knowledge, skills and delivery performance in a classroom environment.

The assessment is generic and therefore, while the IITT has its roots within the IT training industry, the TPMA service is not subject matter dependent and can be applied as easily to an IT trainer as to a management or soft skills trainer.

As with any common process, its integrity lies in using defined processes that are demonstrably consistent and have an acceptable level of measurable quality. The IITT's authorisation process for an organisation to become either an AAC or AQAC defines this, both in terms of initial recognition and ongoing requirement.

Entry criteria for an AAC

To qualify to become an AQAC, an organisation must:

Be approved under either the IITT's Training Provider Accreditation Programme (TPAP) or Training Department Accreditation Programme (TDAP), whichever is applicable
Complete the IITT AQAC Application Form and submit the AAC Licence fee
Complete the IITT AQAC Registration Form to become a registered AAC
Assign the roles of Assessor(s) and Internal Verifier. These roles must be carried out by different individuals, and be capable of the particular role
Have at least one member of staff become an IITT approved TPMA Assessor through the TPMA service
Submit all Trainer Assessments to the IITT for ongoing monitoring and verification within the prescribed timescales.

Have their Assessors re-assessed on an annual basis.

Deliverables for an AAC

Being an IITT AAC authorises the organisation to:

Use the IITT AAC service specific logo for marketing purposes
Have their AAC status listed and promoted on the IITT web site
Assess trainers (Full-time or part-time employed or contracted as an Associate) to IITT, BCS and national standards
Have TPMA-assessed trainers gain an 'Institute Certified Training Practitioner' certificate
Have TPMA-assessed trainers become Professional members of the IITT

Options for an AAC

If the organisation wants to assess trainers who are not employed by the organisation, this is possible through the organisation achieving IITT Gold Standard Accreditation status. Assessments can then be carried out either at the 3rd party trainer's premises or through in-centre run assessments. The latter option would suit the assessment of independent trainers wanting to gain recognition through this service.

Authorised Qualification & Assessment Centre (AQAC)

Being an IITT Authorised Qualification and Assessment Centre (AQAC) is a natural extension to being an AAC and not only provides an authorisation framework to organisations wishing to assess trainers but also authorises the organisation to run an IITT-recognised train the trainer or teaching skills programme.

Entry criteria for an AQAC

To qualify to become an IITT Authorised Qualification & Assessment Centre, an organisation must:

Be currently recognised under either the IITT's Training Provider Accreditation Programme (TPAP) or Training Department Accreditation Programme (TDAP), whichever is applicable
Hold Gold Standard Accreditation (GSA) status or it must achieve this within 12 calendar months from application
Complete the IITT AQAC Application Form and submit the AQAC Licence fee
Complete the IITT AQAC Registration Form to become an AQAC
Assign role of Trainer(s), who should hold an appropriate level of qualification
Have their Train the Trainer programme mapped and approved by the IITT against published standards
Assign the roles of Assessor(s) and Internal Verifier. Note that these roles must be carried out by different individuals.
Have at least one member of staff qualified to become an IITT approved TPMA Assessor
Submit all Trainer Assessments to the IITT for monitoring and verification in the prescribed timescales
Have their Assessor(s) re-assessed and renewed annually by the IITT

Deliverables for an AQAC

Being an IITT AQAC authorises the organisation to:

Use an IITT AQAC service specific logo for marketing purposes
Have AQAC status listed and promoted on the IITT web site
Assess trainers, both employed and 3rd party, to IITT/BCS and national standards
Run a recognised, own brand Train the Trainer programme for both employed and 3rd party individuals
Have assessed trainers gain an 'Institute Certified Training Practitioner' certificate
Have assessed trainers become Professional members of the IITT

AQAC own course mapping

The added value to being an AQAC is the authorisation to run an IITT recognised Train the Trainer course which properly prepares attendees for the IITT's TPMA assessment process. A successful assessment leads to the awarding of the IITT's Institute Certified Training Practitioner certificate and eligibility for Professional membership of the IITT.

For an AQAC's Train the Trainer course to be authorised it needs to be approved as fully mapping to the IITT's Competency Framework - see TPMA Trainer Guide for framework and evidence guide.

The Train the Trainer course should cover the competencies that are expected to be demonstrated during the running of a typical classroom training event and are looked for specifically in the TPMA assessment. Those competencies that cannot be reasonably observed in a live environment which are designed to show the extra depth of knowledge and understanding expected of a professional trainer in today's training industry may be covered by the AQAC as part of a wider support service.

The mapping process carried out by the IITT seeks to review the Train the Trainer course being submitted and generate a referenced matrix clearly signposting where in the Train the Trainer course materials and process each competency is demonstrably covered.

This mapping matrix is then reviewed by the IITT and if necessary feedback given to signpost where more depth or coverage is needed. It is normal that the Consultant will want to review the applicant's site and sample records and process and will contact the Centre to arrange this. Once the mapping matrix has been accepted, the IITT Consultant will recommend to the IITT that AQAC status be approved.

The cost of the IITT's validation process of the mapping matrix, as supplied by the applicant, is included within the AQAC licence fee. The fee includes one site visit but if further visits or meetings are sought or deemed necessary, after agreement with the applicant, these will be separately chargeable at the normal IITT day rate.

It is the applicant's responsibility to provide demonstrable evidence that the Train the Trainer course meets the required standard and is being effectively delivered including suitable processes and record keeping being defined and in place. In the case of a new course being put forward, the IITT will want to see evidence of at least two courses having been run, thereby allowing validation of the underlying processes and associated record keeping.