What is a Part B?

What does having a Part B mean to employers?

When can I apply for Part B(s)?

What criteria do I have to meet to attain Certification in my chosen specialism?

Can I contact my SSC for guidance?

Is Part B the same as CoVE accreditations?

 

What is a Part B?

Part B is the Part of the Standard that demonstrates your sector expertise; you can apply for a Part B as well as a Part A, if you wish to.

There are currently 27 areas of expertise available for application. Providers can choose to apply for Certification in as many Part Bs as they offer training in.

What does having a Part B mean to employers?

Crucially, by having Part B you are telling employers that:

• You offer expertise in a particular sector
• The ‘offer’ to employers extends beyond ‘general provision’ being offered by other providers in the sector and includes more bespoke, in-depth provision; and
• The necessary systems and processes are in place to ensure that the provision being offered not only meets current need but would also anticipate what skills needs for that sector there will be in future.

 

When can I apply for Part B(s)?

You can apply for Part B(s) up to two years after successfully achieving your Part A, or alternatively you can apply for them at the same time as your Part A application.

You cannot hold a Part B without a valid Part A.

What criteria do I have to meet to attain Certification in my chosen specialism?

Part B is made up of 4 criteria and 10 indicators. These are the same regardless of the sector that you are applying for. You can find out more about the Assessment Framework by clicking here.

Because this is a quality assessment which looks at process and outcomes, the Standard is robust enough to be interpreted by each applicant provider, in the context of the sector that they are looking to receive Certification in. This approach also allows local and regional factors to be incorporated.

Whilst these criteria do not differ according to the specialism, each SSC has developed a series of guidance notes to accompany Part B, and support providers that wish to Certificate their specialism. You can view the guidance documents for your areas of expertise by clicking here.

Can I contact my SSC for guidance?

It is not the role of SSCs to provide comments or guidance to providers on individual applications.

There is, however, a guidance document for each Part B available for application, which gives ‘points to consider’ and suggested evidence. Please click here to view these guidance documents. Some SSCs may also have strategic documents, research and LMI that will support applicants in the context of the TQS.

Is Part B the same as CoVE accreditations?

No. As cited in the FE Reform White Paper 2006 (para. 2.18) ‘all CoVEs will need to meet the Standard’ which will ‘replace the current CoVE Standard’. However, as the TQS has been designed to work closely with Sector Skills Councils and Sector Skills Bodies, Certification can only be obtained in accordance with their footprints.