Training Providers Losing Out on Potential Business Due to Time Demands of Quality Assurance Procedures
Running a successful training business in Ireland or the UK requires juggling countless responsibilities — from managing learners to ensuring compliance with awarding body standards. However, for many training providers, the growing demands of quality assurance (QA) procedures and administrative workloads are limiting their capacity to focus on what truly matters: delivering exceptional training and […]
Unacceptable’ standards found at several first aid training providers
A QUARTER of first-aid training providers audited last year had their certification revoked by the sector’s regulator due to “unacceptable” standards. Low levels of compliance with quality standards have been identified at a number of institutions across the sector, which also provides training in resuscitation and the use of defibrillators. Of 25 organisations audited last […]
External Audit Preparation: A Practical Checklist for Training Providers

External audits can often feel daunting for training providers. However, with the right preparation and an effective external audit checklist, the process becomes much smoother and less stressful.In this blog, we guide you through the key steps to get your organisation audit-ready, support compliance, and ultimately strengthen your internal quality assurance systems. At CQAS, we […]
Quality Assurance in Course Design Before You Even Write Your First Course

How building QA into course design saves time, boosts learner outcomes, and keeps you compliant from day one. When creating a new training programme, most providers get excited about building the course content — choosing topics, designing slides, or drafting assessments. But there’s something just as important, and it needs to happen first: quality assurance. […]
The PHECC Quality Review Framework: What It Really Means for Training Providers

In our last blog post, we explored how the PHECC Quality Review Framework (QRF) connects with digital certification and national standards. While that’s helpful for context, today’s post is more hands-on. Many Approved Training Institutions (ATIs) ask: “What does the QRF mean for us day to day?” “How do we actually apply it without getting […]
Top 5 Training Provider Compliance Issues to Avoid

Training provider compliance is about more than ticking boxes. It’s about delivering consistent, high-quality learning that meets the standards of your awarding bodies — and protects your centre’s reputation. At CQAS, we work closely with training providers across Ireland. We help them improve their internal quality systems, prepare for audits, and meet the standards of […]
Blended Learning QA: Keeping Quality High Across Formats

Why Blended Learning Quality Assurance Matters Blended learning combines the best of both worlds—flexibility from online and engagement from in-person learning. However, it brings with it the need for strong blended learning quality assurance. Challenges such as inconsistent learner experiences, weak assessment design, or tech limitations can quickly reduce the effectiveness of training. 1. Develop […]
Improving Training Standards Through QA

Introduction: Why Quality Assurance in Training Matters Across Ireland, training providers are expected to deliver high-quality, consistent learning experiences. Whether you’re delivering short courses, blended learning, or full qualifications, quality assurance in training is more important than ever. In this blog, we’ll explore why QA matters, how it benefits your organisation, and what you can […]
The Diamond Standard: Quality Assurance in Training

In the world of training and education, quality assurance is the foundation that upholds credibility, compliance, and learner success. Much like a diamond that undergoes immense pressure and refinement to achieve brilliance, a strong QA framework requires precision, consistency, and ongoing improvement. This post explores how training providers can achieve the ‘diamond standard’ in quality […]
The Most Common QA Challenges for Training Providers & How to Solve Them

Introduction Quality assurance (QA) is essential for training providers to maintain high standards, comply with regulations, and deliver consistent learning experiences. However, many providers face challenges in managing QA effectively. Issues such as changing compliance requirements, assessment inconsistencies, and record-keeping difficulties can impact the quality of training. This article explores some of the most common […]