The Institute as the Awarding Body for the Qualification in Career Guidance is responsible for quality assuring the 14 universities that offer the Postgraduate Diploma and QCG. The Institute has a team of Moderators who conduct three visits each year to QCG centres reporting back on issues of standardisation and quality assurance. In July 2005 the QCG course teams were advised that their universities would be required to submit an application for renewal of their ICG approved centres status. During the past few months the Moderator team have been reviewing these applications.
On 21st March the Moderators met to discuss and rigorously review the applications from all 14 Universities that currently offer the QCG. The Institute is pleased to report that all 14 universities, including the University of Sunderland that began offering the course from September 2004 have been awarded Approved Centre Status without condition for the next 3 years.
From their research, site visits and meetings with course staff the Moderator team identified the following as particular areas of good practice within centres:
- Vast amount of experience within course teams
- Strong links with local employers, particularly Connexions partnerships
- Students have opportunities to experience a range of working environments
- Strong emphasis on practical skills acquisition
- Good University facilities including audio and visual recording
The Institute would like to thank the QCG centres for the quality and organisation of the submissions and the Moderator team for their efforts and enthusiasm over the few months.
In addition to the 14 universities approved the ICG is pleased to announce that Coventry University will be offering the QCG to support practitioners and service providers in the West Midlands. Coventry University will offer the QCG from autumn 2006 (subject to University approval) and will go through the Approved Centre Status process during the first academic year. | 
