introduction to abp (association of business practitioners)

Association of Business

Practitionerswww.abp.org.uk

‘Their support has been outstanding, they

deliver what they promise, they are very

professional and have exceeded our

expectations . . . ABP are

approachable, accurate and customer-centric.’

Stephanie Edwards, Managing Director of

Customer 1st International

Association of Business Practitioners www.abp.org.uk

Testimonial

The Association of Business Practitioners (ABP) is a not-for-profit UK awarding organisation.

ABP develops and accredits business related, industry-relevant qualifications, from short courses to postgraduate diplomas.

These qualifications are delivered through accredited colleges worldwide.


Introduction to the Association of

Business Practitioners

To provide high quality, affordable qualifications

which address the needs of

learners, employers, training providers and

teaching institutions.

To provide individuals with opportunities for

personal and professional advancement.

ABP seeks to develop long-term working

relationships with any employer or educator, who

wishes to unlock the potential of their learners.Association of Business Practitioners www.abp.org.uk

Our Mission

Recognised credibility of qualifications in the

international marketplace

Access to a worldwide student audience

Cost effective and time efficient learning

Fast and affordable routes to Masters Degrees

The control and flexibility to deliver and assess

qualifications how and when you want

High levels of customer service


Why Choose ABP?


ABP designed to support

the Centre and the Student

Traditional Awarding Organisations

Method of qualification delivery is the same for everyone irrelevant of the

centres and student’s needs

Method of qualification assessment is the same for everyone even if this

does not reflect the strengths of the centre or needs of the student

A set timetable for assessment – small windows of opportunity for students to qualify and for centres to recruit

ABP

The centre can determine the method of qualification delivery to reflect the strengths of the centre and needs of

the local student market

Assessment can be determined by the centre to reflect the strengths of the

centre and needs of the local student market

Assessment can be done at any time of the year enabling centres to recruit

throughout the year and students do not have to wait for the next exam

window

Centres can differentiate themselves from their competitors

and offer students a greater learning experience

Centres can tailor the qualification delivery and assessment

to meet the needs of local students and employers

enhancing the attractiveness of the courses

ABP’s approach enables centres to start cohorts of learners

without having to wait for an examination period to end.

Marketing costs are spread throughout the year enabling

courses to start as soon as there are enough learners to

begin the next course.


What this means for the Centre

The ABP approach offers students a fantastic learning

experience where they can build a portfolio of work

Learners have a greater variety of ways to demonstrate their

knowledge and skills to employers and universities through a

variety of assessments

Learners can enrol on courses tailored to the needs of their

job market

ABP’s approach means that students will not have to wait for

up to six months hanging on for the next opportunity to re-

take an external assessment


What this means for the Student


Principles of ABP

Responsive

Flexible

AffordableHigh Quality

Reliable


What ABP Offers

Accredited Higher Level Professional

Qualifications

Accessible Introductory

Business Qualifications

Development of Bespoke

Qualifications

Learning & Development Qualifications

Accreditation of In-House

Qualifications


University Progression Routeswww.abp.org.uk/universities

A higher level ABP qualification can provide a fast

and affordable route to a Masters degree awarded

by a UK or Australian university.

ABP currently has several university progression

routes which are available to ALL eligible holders of

the relevant ABP qualification.

ABP regularly announce new university progression

routes and work constantly to provide qualification

holders with more opportunities for advancement.


ABP’s Affiliation with ABE

The Association of Business Executives (ABE) was established in 1973.

The awarding body operates in over 100 countries.

ABE is fully recognised by the UK regulatory authorities for qualifications.

Benefits of ABP

'Obtaining ABP accreditation of the LCMS

Diploma has enhanced the quality and credibility

of the programme . . . the exciting new

progression route facilitated by ABP has

resulted in the programme becoming even more

popular than ever!‘

Dr Datta, Vice Principal, LCMS


Testimonial


Benefits to Centres

Centres have the flexibility

to assess their learners

how and when they

choose

Can accredit customised

programmes that meet specific needs

Programmes can be

delivered and assessed in languages other than

English

Fees are kept to an

absolute minimum without

compromising quality


Benefits to Individuals

ABP qualifications

are developed by experienced academics

and professionals

ABP offers a global and strategic

management perspective

Offers students a fantastic learning

experience where they can build a portfolio

of work for employers

ABP qualifications

reflect the latest

occupational standards


Benefits to Employers

Qualifications designed to fit the needs of

the workplace

Global and strategic

management perspective

Can accredit or endorse in-house training

programmes

Work with employers to

develop bespoke

programmes tailored

precisely to their needs


Support ABP Offers

Offices in the UK and overseas

A dedicated team of syllabus and assessment

writers

A broad range of resources and support materials

An enthusiastic and customer focused help desk

Online support including FAQs, resources and

updates to keep students and centres fully

informed

ABP Products

'ABP's world class Postgraduate Diplomas

are among the most practical and job

oriented business qualifications available. We

are proud to offer these at Centre For

Management, Mumbai.'

Akhil S., Director at Kaizen Management

Advisors Pvt Ltd


Testimonial

Available to any centre meeting the approval criteria – and continues to meet them!

Reflects the very latest industry and occupational standards.

Available in a variety of subject areas and at a range of levels

Can be delivered and assessed in local language.

Based on the levels of the UK Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).


ABP Qualificationswww.abp.org.uk/qualifications

ABP offers qualifications which are awarded by ABE (a

recognised Awarding Organisation) and are regulated

by Ofqual the UK government department responsible

for regulating qualifications.

Ofqual recognition will help centres demonstrate the

qualification's quality and credibility to prospective

students worldwide.

Qualifications developed by ABP are based on the

eight levels of the UK Qualifications and Credit

Framework.


Qualification Recognitionwww.abp.org.uk/ofqual-info


ABP Qualification Framework


Level 7 Qualifications(Equivalent to Postgraduate Diploma)

Enterprise Qualifications

• Strategic Entrepreneurship

• Strategic Intrapreneurship

• Strategic Social Enterprise Management

Sector Specific Qualifications

• International Engineering and Manufacturing Management

• Leadership & Management in the Health and Social Care Sector

Core Business Qualifications

• Marketing Management

• International Finance Management

• International Human Resource Management

IT Qualifications

• Business Computing

• Information Systems

• Enterprise Networks

• Sustainable ICT


Islamic Finance Qualificationswww.abp.org.uk/qualifications/islamic-finance

Certificate in the Essentials of

Islamic Finance and Banking (Level 7)

Diploma in Applied Islamic Finance and

Banking (Level 6)

Certificate in the Concepts of Islamic

Finance and Banking (Level 5)


Introductory Business Qualifications(Level 2 unless otherwise stated)

Business Basics & Finance Sales and Marketing

Customer Service (Level 3) Working in a Project Team

Entrepreneurship Management Principles (Level 3)

Event Management Information Technology for

Business

Customer Service Business Etiquette

Business Communications People Skills

Self-Awareness & Personal

Development

Time Management


Bespoke Qualifications

We can work with clients to develop bespoke qualifications

tailored specifically to the requirements of local students

and employers

These can be of any level or duration and can also be

delivered and assessed in languages other than English.

ABP Quality assurance provides improved credibility of

bespoke qualifications.

Bespoke qualifications will be awarded and certificates

printed by ABP. They are not regulated Ofqual

qualifications.



We assist in the development of bespoke

qualifications in order to provide guidance in

regards to;

Credibility and currency within a subject / sectorial

area

Appropriate academic rigour in relation to

assessment

Suitable internal quality assurance practices



ABP is an awarding organisation dealing with

assessments therefore we do not;

‘Rubber stamp’ centre-devised

assessments without due regard to ABP

processes

Endorse training / teaching programmes

Level 4 Award in Preparing to Teach in the

Lifelong Learning Sector (QCF) = (PTLLS)

Level 4 Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong

Learning Sector (QCF) = (CTLLS)



Linked to professional body requirements

and National Occupational Standards (NOS)

A clear work-related emphasis

A strong emphasis on practical skills

development alongside the development of

requisite knowledge and understanding



How is Quality Assured?


How is Quality Assured

EQA – External Quality Assurance

IQA – Internal Quality Assurers

Assessors

Learner Recruitment with Integrity


Benefits of ABP Quality Assurance

Centres have tremendous

flexibility about how and when

they run programmes

and what teaching

methods they use

Offers students a fantastic learning

experience where they can build a portfolio

of work

Learners have a greater variety of

ways to demonstrate

their knowledge and skills at the appropriate level

through assessments

External quality assurance is provided by

occupationally competent and qualified ABP associates, as

an alternative to the traditional examinations

Once approved, centres will be allocated

EQAs who will work with different numbers of

centres depending on their specialist

area, experience, and availability.

Centre allocation is determined via

discussion and mutual agreement.


External Quality Assurance (EQA)

ABP EQAs are formal representatives of ABP and are responsible for:

Monitoring centre systems against ABP centre requirements.

Checking and ensuring the quality of centre assessment and verification practice.

Supporting centres to develop and improve the quality of their systems and assessment and verification practice.

Providing information, about the quality of centre systems and practice to ABP.

Working with ABP to ensure the quality of its own systems and practice


External Quality Assurance (EQA)

Following the initial EQA visit, ABP will

provide the centre with detailed guidance on

our expectations relating to the assessment

and internal quality assurance of ABP

programmes.

EQA visits will assess centre facilities, quality

of assessments, learner support & Internal

Verification processes.


Quality Assurance Visits

1st Visit

During accreditation

process

2nd Visit

2-3 months after accreditation

Regular QA Visits

Approx. 6 months apart


Quality Assurance Visits

The Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) is an

authoritative representative of the centre

working in partnership with ABP to provide a

regular review and development of

assessment practice with respect to ABP

provision.

Ensures that assessors follow the qualification

assessment guidance provided by ABP


Internal Quality Assurers

They are members of the programme or qualification

(course) team who assess essential aspects of the

learners’ work.

Very often they are the tutors/teachers/trainers/lecturers

who also assess that course.

Formal qualifications for internal verification are not

required for those who internally verify ABP

programmes. Appropriate working knowledge of the

relevant course specifications and its assessment

standards are expected.

An IQA may not internally verify his/her own

assessmentsAssociation of Business Practitioners www.abp.org.uk

Who Are IQAs?

Sample and observe activities, methods and records to ensure that assessment decisions are consistent and then provide assessors with constructive feedback on their decisions.

Keeps up to date records of internal quality assurance and sampling activities and ensure that these are available for ABP to see.

Raises issues of good practice in assessment and organise regular meetings between all staff involved in the process.

Ensures that any corrective actions required by the ABP external quality assurer ( EQA ) are put into place.


The IQA Role

Student Assessment


The Assessment Process

Certification

Assessment against Standards

Assessment Planning

Learning & Development

Planning & Assessment

Induction

Recruitment with Integrity


Student Assessment Methods

Assessment methods should;

Be consistent with the requirements of the unit.

Enable the unit to be assessed individually

Assess validly the skills, knowledge and / or understanding of all learning outcomes against the stated assessment criteria

Require the production of sufficient evidence from learners to enable reliable and consistent judgements to be made about the achievement of all the learning outcomes


Student Assessment Methods

ABP supports and encourages the following assessment vehicles

Case study reviews

Projects: individual and group

Essays

Presentations

Viva Voce and Oral examinations

Time constrained open and closed book examinations may be used in some circumstances, but should generally be no more than 20% of the overall assessment method

The Accreditation Process

Accreditation is a quality assurance process to ensure a successful learning experience

for potential candidates following ABP qualifications.

Centres are assessed against standards to demonstrate their competence and

performance capability.


What is Accreditation

Centre Approval – To confirm that a prospective centre has the managerial, administrative and physical resource infrastructure to credibly support student learning.

Qualification Approval – To confirm that a prospective centre has the human and physical capacity to deliver subject/sector learning/teaching and carry out student assessments.


The Focus of Accreditation

Stages of the Accreditation Process

Expression of Interest in

Accreditation by Centre / Appropriate

forms provided by

ABP

Application –Submission of

Forms & Payment of

Fees by Centre

Review of Application by

ABP

Processing of Application by

ABP

Quality Assurance

Assessment by ABP

Approval

Quality Assurance standards met in full

Payment of Fees in Full

Forms completed and submitted to ABP’s

satisfaction including;

A1 Centre Approval Form

Centre Agreement Form

B1 Qualification Approval Form or B2 Centre

Devised Qualifications Form


Criteria for Accreditation

The speed of accreditation is dependent

upon the centre’s ability to complete the

application, pay the fees in full and reach

the standards set by ABP for approval.


How Long Does Accreditation Take?

To start the accreditation process

Complete the no-obligation form at www.abp.org.uk/centres/centre-application

or

Contact your local ABP Representative via [email protected]


First Steps Towards Accreditation

http://www.abp.org.uk/centres/centre-application



Further Information

Q&A


Any questions?

For more information visit or contact;

The ABP Website www.abp.org.uk

or

E-mail: [email protected]


To Get Further Information

http://www.abp.org.uk/

introduction to abp (association of business practitioners)

Education