What does an awarding organisation do?
At the simplest level, an awarding organisation has three key functions:
- To develop qualifications that fulfil a known industry need … that means developing the structure, content (or syllabus) and assessment based on nationally recognised standards approved by employers and Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) and Standard Setting Bodies (SSBs).
- To provide external quality assurance and assessment of qualifications to its approved Centres … by supporting qualification delivery, ensuring consistency and encouraging best practice, the awarding organisation ensures learners achieve the standard required by industry.
- To award certificates to each learner who successfully achieves a qualification … only when the awarding organisation has ensured that the learner has met the criteria will they issue an official, nationally recognised certificate.
Additionally, some awarding organisations offer a range of supporting services, tailored to the needs of their customers and the industries they serve.
Is there any difference between different awarding organisations?
Yes, there is a vast difference. These are just some of the ways in which awarding organisations differ, and why your choice of awarding organisation is so important:
- The level of industry involvement in the development of qualifications … this is essential to ensure that qualifications are real skills needs in the workplace and are recognised by employers and industry bodies. Some awarding organisations are specialists in certain areas whilst others offer a vast range of qualifications but without the same level of employer and industry input or support.
- The level of expert support in the delivery of the qualifications … it is worth checking that your learning and assessments will be overseen by an ‘External Verifier’ who is a fully qualified expert with a relevant industry career behind them, and not someone whose background is in another industry entirely. Whilst you won’t necessarily meet with your External Verifier, they work alongside your learning provider and their level of expertise and input can make the difference between a learning environment that is focused towards helping you embrace opportunities and achieve the highest industry standards or one that just ticks the necessary boxes. Without expert External Verifier support, both you and your provider are missing out on the chance to improve your performance and achieve the highest industry standards.
- The quality of learning materials … with relevant learning materials and step-by-step assessment guides, you can understand what you need to do, why, how, and what you’ll achieve as a result. Some awarding organisations provide full learning support materials which are constantly updated. Others don’t, and this could mean that the materials you receive from your training provider are substandard. Not only can this impact on your understanding of what’s involved in your qualification, but it increases the possibility that something vital could be missed along the way.
- The reliability and flexibility of the systems … can make the difference between you taking exams at a convenient time and receiving the all-important certificate to show your current or potential employers, or waiting while excessive administration and errors hold you back from making the next step forward in your career.
Are EAL qualifications recognised by trade associations and professional bodies in industry?
EAL works with a wide range of industry bodies to ensure its qualifications are recognised by employers and provide learners with a stamp of quality that can enhance their career prospects.
EAL collaborates with Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) and Standards Setting Bodies (SSBs) including:
Enginuity (The Science, Engineering, Manufacturing and Technologies Alliance)
SummitSkills (building services engineering)
Energy & Utility Skills
Council for Administration (business skills)
Skills for Logistics
Lifelong Learning UK
Port Skills and Safety.
EAL qualifications are recognised for professional development and grading schemes by organisations including:
Engineering Council
Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
The Welding Institute (TWI)
Institute of Cast Metal Engineers (ICME)
Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM)
Society of Operations Engineers (SOE)
Scottish Engineering
Association of Welding and Fabrication Engineering and Training (AWFTE)
Joint Industry Board (JIB) for electrical contracting
Joint Industry Board (JIB) for plumbing and heating engineers
Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA)
National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC)
Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers (CIPHE)
Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA)
Professional Lighting and Sound Association (PLASA).
You can find further information in the sectors area of this website.
How can I check that I have been correctly registered for an EAL qualification?
As a specialist employer-recognised industry awarding organisation with an unrivalled reputation we are committed to ensuring that our Recognised Centres (training providers, colleges and employer training facilities) adhere to the correct processes and uphold the very highest of standards. This is imperative to the quality of the learners’ experience and the rigor of qualifications delivery. We take a firm line with any Centre that fails to perform its duties or achieve the standards that EAL requires and our learners deserve.
If you are a learner working towards an EAL qualification, your training provider should have registered you with EAL upon your enrolment. Should you have any concern about whether or not you are correctly registered with us or have concerns regarding your training, we want to hear from you. Please contact us on 01923 652400 or email Customer Services Team.
Can I get a replacement copy of my EAL certificate?
In most cases, EAL is able to supply replacement certificates for a small administration charge. To request a replacement certificate you can complete our online form.
How can I get a copy of the new ‘EAL Qualified’ logo?
If you have achieved an EAL qualification, either recently or in the past, you may be eligible to use the ‘EAL Qualified’ logo. Details of how the logo may be used or to request the logo please contact our Customer Services Team.
Do EAL qualifications have UCAS points?
Yes, a number of our qualifications have been awarded UCAS points so can help to support your progression into Higher Education. See our UCAS points web page for more information.
I have started learning with another awarding organisation. Can I transfer to EAL?
Yes. It may also be possible to recognise your prior achievements from another awarding organisation, meaning that there is no need to re-cover old ground as you work towards achieving an EAL qualification. For more details, please contact our Customer Services Team.
Can my previous learning count towards an EAL qualification?
Yes, depending on how long it has been since your previous learning and the relevance of your previous learning, it may be possible for your past achievements to contribute towards an EAL qualification. For more details, please contact our Customer Services Team.
