Employers FAQs

Active IQ is an awarding organisation that is recognised and regulated by Ofqual, Qualifications Wales and CCEA. It writes and accredits qualifications. Active IQ does not deliver any training courses. Instead its qualifications are delivered by a national and international network of training organisations called recognised centres.

An approved centre is a training organisation (e.g. employer, college, school, university, commercial training provider or adult community learning team) that has been granted permission by Active IQ to deliver Active IQ qualifications. This recognition process gives learners the assurance that Active IQ is satisfied that the training organisation has the staff, systems and procedures in place to deliver a positive learning experience. Approved centres are monitored and supported by Active IQ to ensure that standards are maintained.

Active IQ qualifications are on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) which is regulated by the exams regulator Ofqual in England. Wales and Northern Ireland have their own regulator called Qualifications Wales and CCEA respectively. Active IQ qualifications are recognised in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Scotland has its own framework: the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). Although they are not on the SCQF, Active IQ qualifications are widely respected by learners, training organisations and employers in Scotland.

In Europe, the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) acts as a translation device to make national qualifications more readable across Europe. Although there is currently no international mechanism to compare qualifications in this way, UK qualifications are well-regarded all over the world.

As long as they meet Active IQ’s requirements, recognised centres can choose how they deliver Active IQ qualifications; some deliver their courses face-to-face, others deliver via distance learning (or home study) and a number choose blended learning (a combination of face-to-face and distance learning).

Active IQ Professional Recognition is an endorsement service that recognises an employer’s own bespoke CPD training, providing it meets Active IQ’s quality guidelines. This endorsement service is based on an annual renewable licence and provides a quality kite mark for in-house training.

Active IQ Professional Career Development provides training in these areas to upskill staff to deliver, assess or quality assure in-house delivery of qualifications. Training options include online distance learning and blended delivery programmes for a range of tutor, assessor and internal quality assurance qualifications.

Active IQ has a large suite of eLearning courses in fitness, leisure and wellbeing which can be used as standalone eLearning for in-house CPD. The courses can be used independently of qualifications as part of a staff training and development programme.