This organisation markets themselves as an “awarding organisation.” For an organisation to be classed as an awarding organisation they need to be listed on the OFQUAL register which Step Ahead CPD Qualifications are not.
This company is associated with the Training company “PLT Academy Limited” which we believe is a conflict of interest and could indicate that they accredit their own materials.
This company also does not have visible terms and conditions on their website. We would expect all credible CPD accreditation services to have robust and up to date terms and conditions.
This organisation is advertising courses with the below wording in the course title:
Following further research into this organisation and contact with them, we advise all CPD Consumers, before they purchase or enrol on a course provided by this organisation, that they seek clarification from them that the course they are advertising, is indeed a Regulated Qualification.
For this to be a fully regulated Qualification, with academic credits, the organisation should be able to provide you with the following information:
If the organisation is unable to provide this information, you can assume that the course is being incorrectly advertised and is a CPD Course and NOT a ‘Qualification’.
We believe this is a conflict of interest and does not demonstrate impartiality. Secondly it brings into question what a training provider will do with another CPD Training Providers training materials during the accreditation process. We feel that this is a risk to the intellectual property of the submitting CPD Training Provider and caution should be given.
CPD courses enhance existing knowledge, while Qualifications require formal assessment. Be wary of misleading terms like "Qualified" or "Level" used for CPD courses. Verify Qualification claims with the provider, checking for details about the awarding body, qualification number, and approval certificate. If a course isn't a Qualification, ensure it's CPD Accredited by a reputable provider. Understanding the difference between CPD and Qualifications is essential for making informed decisions about your professional development.
Terms and conditions (T&Cs) form an important part of many business transactions, providing a legal framework governing the rights and obligations of the parties. They help ensure transparency and certainty and reduce the risk of disputes between the parties involved. The following CPD Accreditation Service Providers have vague terms and conditions or do not publish or have any Terms and Conditions visible on their site and caution should be given before entering into any contract with these companies. We advise that you request a copy of their terms and conditions before engaging in their Accreditation Services.
Last Updated: 26th November 2024
We do our best to ensure that all information is accurate and up to date. If you are part of the above-mentioned organisation and some
of the information we have found is inaccurate please contact us at [email protected] so we can rectify this for you.