Aims of the Accreditation:

The overall aim of the ASPEL Accreditation Framework is to contribute to the improvement of the Executive Learning industry by:

• providing both clients and providers with a clear and consistent quality framework against which performance can be evaluated
• making transactions efficient, effective, and economic for all parties through a greater understanding and application of quality in executive education
• providing criteria against which learning solution providers can benchmark themselves and thus assisting them to formulate their strategy
• producing reports on quality and excellence
• awarding outstanding contributors to excellence in executive education

Benefits for Clients:

Clients can:

• be assured that an Accredited EDC fulfils demanding criteria that help ensure a high quality of service provision
• distinguish between different EDCs, their comparative strengths and capabilities
• shortlist more quickly, selecting from EDCs that have fulfilled relevant accreditations

Benefits for Providers:

Executive Development Centres can:

• distinguish themselves from other providers through enhanced brand value
• develop an appropriate profile that helps promote key strengths and capabilities to potential clients
• develop policies and processes that will strengthen their performance and sustainability
• benchmark themselves against other Accredited EDCs
• acquire knowledge and support to enhance their processes and improve their performance

The Accreditation Framework:

The Accreditation Framework is made up of seven independent modules, each of which can be taken at a different time. With the exception of the (obligatory) Cornerstone Module, an applicant EDC may select to undertake any additional module, depending on its strategy, perceived strengths and competitive positioning.

1. The Cornerstone Module: This covers the areas of Governance, Strategy, Performance & Resources and is designed to ensure that the applicant EDC has the necessary processes and systems in place to provide high quality services over the foreseeable future.
2. Learning Programmes Capability: This module is for EDCs that provide learning services through face-to-face delivery. The module looks in detail at the programmes offered by the EDC and the processes that support quality design, development, implementation and evaluation of programmes.
3. Coaching Capability: For EDCs that specialize in providing coaching services, this module evaluates the organization and processes in place that help ensure quality outcomes of coaching delivery.
4. Technology-based Learning Capability: For EDCs that provide learning through web-based or other technological platforms, this module evaluates the quality of the design, development, implementation and evaluation processes involved.
5. Staff & Organizational Development: This module evaluates the people processes and management systems in place that enable the EDC to ensure its high performance and longer-term sustainability.
6. International Capability: For EDCs that operate internationally, whether through franchises, partnerships or direct investment, this module assesses the capability of the EDC to operate across national and cultural boundaries.
7. Community Contribution: This module evaluates the contribution of an EDC to the wider community through its Corporate Social Responsibility processes and programmes, the research it undertakes and the publications it distributes. Additionally, the module assesses the extent to which an EDC can be seen to be a ‘Globally Responsible’ leader in the field of executive learning.