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Lantra Awards Quality Assurance System
What is Lantra Awards Quality Assurance system?
Lantra Awards regulates and monitors the quality of its training and assessment being delivered by the network of providers and instructors. As well as instructor re-certification (every 5 years) and annual updates, this is done through visits to instructors and/or providers. Instructors are required to have a technical audit visit every 5 years.
Has the Quality Assurance system changed?
No, but there is a new team who are ensuring that the QA system in place is implemented. In order to do this a nationally spread team of 23 Technical Standards Verifiers (TSVs) have been contracted and the organisation of visits to instructors has been bought in-house. The new team became operational on 1 March 2007.
What kind of visits are conducted by Lantra Awards?
- Technical audit visits the focus of this visit is on the instructors technical skills and instructional techniques. It is carried out by a TSV with technical skills for the particular course that the instructor is delivering
- Non-technical visits - the focus of this visit is on the instructors instructional techniques. It is carried out by a TSV who does not possess the technical skills for the particular course that the instructor is delivering
- Spot checks the focus of this visit is to check the whether the instructor, venue, course materials, etc. are as per course booking. It is carried out by a TSV who does not possess the technical skills for the particular course that the instructor is delivering.
These sorts of visits give us an insight into how well providers are organising the courses and whether they themselves are meeting the set standards required of our approved providers.
New instructors also receive a technical evaluation visit.
Why is Lantra Awards visiting courses?
Lantra Awards normally visits courses booked to conduct an audit of the Lantra Awards instructor who is delivering the course. A couple of providers have expressed concern that TSVs have visited courses they have booked. We would like to reassure providers that this is nothing to be worried about as we are specifically interested in the instructor unless otherwise stated, therefore may attend courses that providers are offering several times to see different instructors.
Why do some instructors get multiple visits?
As many instructors have multiple skills allowing them to deliver a range of courses, instructors may find themselves visited more than once. This is because all of their skill areas need to be monitored as part of the QA system.
How are visits organised?
The organisation of these visits is a lengthy process for both the QA team and the TSVs. Basically the QA team must match an available TSV to an instructor delivering a course in their skill area within a given region. Due to the course booking nature within Lantra Awards this may happen at short notice.
Do Lantra Awards notify instructors/providers of visits?
TSVs will normally notify the instructor that a visit will take place. The provider is also notified as a matter of courtesy. Notification may on occasion be at short notice for the reasons outlined above. However, in order for Lantra Awards to ensure that its QA system operates as required, notification is not always given.
What progress has the new team made?
The initial 3 month introductory period has gone exceptionally well and we have far surpassed the estimated amount of visits for this period. We are very pleased with the outcomes of the visits showing us that both Lantra Awards approved providers and instructors are working to the high standards expected of them.
How can I assist Lantra Awards in ensuring that visits go smoothly?
We appreciate the co-operation of the instructor and provider network in implementing the QA system. Providers can help in allowing these visits to run smoothly by giving as much detail as possible when placing orders so that sites can be found easily without too much disruption to the provider and instructor. Please remember that it is essential that the relevant sections of the booking form are completed in accordance with HSE regulations and the Lantra Awards code of practice.