The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has announced that Flybe has gained awarding body status, enabling it to award work-based qualifications to its employees. The status recognises the high standards set by Flybe to assess, track and recognise learning which previously would have been lost.

The initial QCF pilot will commence in the middle of 2008 when Flybe will trial their ‘Airline Trainer Programme’.  With courses covering everything from engineering to cabin crew training, many have the potential of being structured and awarded as QCF qualifications.  All the courses will be based on Flybe’s current training and modified, where needed, to achieve the QCA’s awarding criteria for the QCF, which all awarding bodies need to attain.  Each course will cater for Flybe’s staff and the specific needs of the business and will deliver end qualifications from Level 2 (equivalent to GCSEs grade A*-C) right up to Level 4 (equivalent to a University Degree).

By becoming an accredited training provider Flybe aims to raise its profile within the airline industry as a committed employer, increasing the recognition for its staff for the training they complete whilst improving the business’ efficiency in a highly competitive industry.

Flybe is participating in piloting the QCA’s new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), a new qualifications framework which will deliver a system of credit recognition that is easier for employers and learners to understand.

Through the QCF, companies will be able to recognise work-based learning, identify skills gaps more easily and plan for employee progression. Working with the Awarding Bodies, commercial organisations will be in a position to deliver tailored qualifications, and, once they have passed QCA accreditation, become awarding bodies themselves.

John Denham, Secretary of State for the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills said:

“By accrediting high quality in house training schemes we can recognise the value of company training. This is an important step towards ending the old divisions between company training schemes and national qualifications, something that should benefit both employers and employees.”

Dr Ken Boston, QCA’s Chief Executive:

“I am pleased to announce that Flybe is one of the first three companies to gain QCA accreditation for its work-related courses. The commitment to training shown by these ground breaking companies supports their employees in gaining vital skills. This will not only benefit business planning but recognises the role the workplace plays as a learning environment.”

Simon Witts, Director of Safety, Quality & Training from Flybe commented:

“As an airline which carries out many different types of training, we wanted to gain credit for this by means of a qualification framework across the business.

“Through the tests and trials of the Qualification and Credit Framework and by becoming an accredited training provider we will have the ability to deliver officially recognised courses specifically designed to cater for our staff and business needs, increasing our competitiveness and recognising the hard work of our employees.”
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