Maureen Emmett is well known within the education sector having held significant roles within awarding organisations and educational providers. More recently, she has functioned as the national lead for functional skills within the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Authority (QCDA).
However, Emmett will be departing the QCDA on its closure at the end of March to establish EM Skills Ltd.
Maureen has been working with IQ since November last year on an occasional basis, but this new agreement establishes a framework for long term co-operation and partnership.
Under the agreement, EM Skills will provide functional skills products and expertise to IQ, trading as IQ Functional Skills (IQFS). While EM Skills will be free to provide consultancy services to other awarding organisations, it will function as an integrated but autonomous department within IQ in what will remain a unique relationship for EM Skills.
“We are delighted that Maureen and her team have committed in this way to IQ”, said Raymond Clarke, IQ’s CEO. “Our ability to attract a person of Maureen’s calibre and reputation is not only a huge vote of confidence in the potential of IQ, but also a ringing endorsement of our approach. In coming to agreements of this type, we are demonstrating the potential of aligning ambitions and the interests of organisations within a mutual framework.”
Clarke added: “This agreement between IQ and EM Skills promotes growth for both parties, encourages support operations for other awarding organisations and does not restrict EM Skills in relation to its wider development. It’s a partnership of equals within shared space.”
Speaking on behalf of EM Skills, Maureen Emmett explained: “We have been encouraged by the openness and professionalism of the IQ team, and indeed how the IQ model is being received by end users. On our part, EM Skills is seeking to develop a range of functional skills qualifications that are relevant on a sectoral basis, combined with a highly responsive service. In order to insure the IQ approach to functional skills assessment is the most appropriate for use in the workplace, we are inviting providers to take part in a pilot over this coming spring and summer.”
Top marks gained by IQ in mystery shopping exercise
Meantime, IQ has scored maximum marks in the latest mystery shopping exercise of awarding organisations, conducted on behalf of the Government’s qualification regulator Ofqual.
The objective of the exercise was to measure the effectiveness responsiveness of the customer service received by learners from awarding organisations. The survey considered speed and the quality of response to telephone enquiries and e-mails.
IQ out-performed the average rating for all awarding organisations in all 12 of the areas surveyed.
“We are delighted by this feedback,” said Raymond Clarke. “While we recognise that the survey was undertaken at a very early stage of IQ’s development, the results are pleasing and set a standard by which we intend to be judged in the longer term.”
IQ will be conducting its own customer service surveys during the summer as part of its Business Excellence and Improvement initiative and implementation of the European Foundations for Quality Management model.
New leadership for SAFE
Security and Facilities Education (SAFE) has announced the appointment of Gary Scruby as its new executive director with effect from next month.
Scruby fills the position vacated by Raymond Clarke following his move to Industry Qualifications, although Raymond remains a non-executive director of the company.
Gary joins SAFE from Tenon Education Training and Skills where he has been advising colleges and training companies on funding and performance issues since 2007.
Prior to his role at Tenon, Scruby had worked within a range of training companies and colleges. Now, his prime responsibility will be to expand and diversify the SAFE apprenticeship and publicly-funded training offer, and to expand and strengthen SAFE’s publishing activities.
“I’m delighted that SAFE has secured the services of a person of Gary’s calibre”, said Clarke. “At a time where the delivery of publicly-funded programmes is becoming increasingly challenging, I’m delighted to be leaving SAFE in such capable hands.”
Scruby himself said: “I’m looking forward to taking the helm at SAFE. Having worked as an advisor to SAFE for many years, I’m aware of the high regard within the industry and college sector for the company. I am excited about the challenge of broadening the range of sectors that are served by SAFE and strengthening our delivery infrastructure and publishing offer. We have challenging plans, a strong team and an excellent reputation which all contribute to a solid foundation for growth.”
