The Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) will recognise, help and celebrate the further education professionals driving quality improvement with the launch of the new Quality Champions Accreditation Programme, announced today.

Quality Champions is an innovative programme designed to identify, develop and accredit the leaders in quality improvement across the further education sector.  The programme commences in January 2009 and starts as the sector moves towards self-regulation, supported by LSIS.

The programme will run for 12 months and include workshops, opportunities for networking and a significant work-based research project, to enable participants to develop their skills and broaden their understanding of the latest quality improvement practices. Once completed participants will have their learning accredited, at either level 5 or level 7, by the Institute of Leadership and Management for the award of the Certificate in Learning Quality Improvement.

The Quality Champions programme has been designed to attract passionate and enthusiastic individuals working to promote continuous quality improvement.  Quality Champions exist at all levels of seniority, but are always recognisable by their ability to make a difference for the better. They are already making a significant impact, and the Quality Champions Accreditation Programme will further develop their own knowledge and skills, as well as supporting capacity building for self-improvement within their organisations and the FE sector as a whole.

People interested in applying for the programme can download an application pack at www.qualitychampions.org.uk. 

Roger McClure, Chief Executive of LSIS, welcomed this new programme: “I’m very pleased that the first new programme to be introduced by the Learning and Skills Improvement Service should be the Quality Champions Accreditation Programme.  It celebrates with a significant award, the transformational work done by quality improvement champions in the sector and enhances their further development. I hope that selection for the programme will quickly become much-prized recognition of the influence of such key managers in the sector.”

Continuing from the innovative work introduced by the former Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI), The Quality Champions Accreditation Programme forms one of the many ground-breaking programmes developed by LSIS as it strives for excellence in the FE sector.

The Quality Champions Accreditation Programme is the first programme under the new LSIS brand. Only recently formed, LSIS not only combines the best aspects of two different and highly successful sector bodies – the Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) and the Quality Improvement Agency (QIA) – but also now a new element, the sector as a key partner. LSIS will continue to strive towards developing excellent and sustainable FE provision across the sector, through programmes such as Quality Champions.

Quality Champions will be a key resource at the heart of the self-regulated sector - continuously effecting change, securing improvement and raising standards. For further information about this innovative new programme, and to download an application pack, visit the website www.qualitychampions.org.uk. 

Notes

About Quality Champions
The Quality Champions Accreditation Programme is an innovative new programme from LSIS, designed to identify, develop and accredit the leaders in quality improvement across the further education system..

The programme may be completed within twelve months. It includes workshops, opportunities for networking and a significant work-based research project, which will enable Quality Champions to develop their skills and broaden their understanding of the latest quality improvement practices.  There is a strong focus on working and learning collaboratively. Participants will work in action learning sets to reflect on actions and develop solutions to problems.

The programme is accredited by the Institute for Leadership and Management.  Successful candidates will achieve the Certificate in Leading Quality Improvement at level 5 or level 7.

For further information about this innovative new programme and to download an application pack, visit the website www.qualitychampions.org.uk.