Building on the successful launch of the Customer Service Professional Qualifications at Award and Certificate levels, plans to develop the Qualifications to Diploma level are now being accelerated. These plans, which form the final piece of the jigsaw in terms of the vision and guiding principles behind the Qualifications' development, are a direct response to a need identified by a number of councils.
Broadly, the Diploma level will sit at Level 4 and around Levels 7 - 9 of the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework (SCQF). For further details on SCQF, go to www.sqa.org.uk
SOLACE's support of the Qualifications and now the development of the Diploma level have been positive. Keen to reinforce their clear commitment to the customer-focused agenda nationally, SOLACE members have lent their practical and financial support to fund the Diploma's development.
Support has been received from SOLACE to take the Diploma's development forward based on a subscription formula spread evenly across all Scottish councils.
This development is now being progressed under Renfrewshire Council and the Improvement Service's lead together with a consortium of Scottish councils. They are operating under the direction of the National CRM Programme Board, chaired by Alex Linkston, Chief Executive of West Lothian Council.
Working closely with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and taking account of councils' requirements, a range of accreditation, delivery and assessment options is being examined as well as opportunities for the Diploma's development to build on and derive benefit from existing models.
Although plans are at an early stage, it's envisaged that the Diploma will be available by September 2009 bringing to completion the full product range of the Customer Service Professional Qualifications
The Qualifications are a new initiative developed by a consortium of Scottish councils under Renfrewshire Council and the Improvement Service’s lead and are:
- nationally recognised qualifications offered at Award, Certificate and, in future, at Diploma levels;
- quality assured and certificated by SQA;
- endorsed by CoSLA and
- portable across Scottish local government.
To find out more about the Qualifications, contact enquiries@customerserviceprofessional.co.uk or visit www.customerserviceprofessional.co.uk
To provide input to the Diploma’s development, email enquiries@customerserviceprofessional.co.uk providing your contact details and quote ‘ CSP Diploma Development ‘. Alternatively, contact Martin Brown at the Improvement Service on 01506 775583.
