Winning streak... EMB leads the way

Business Link Advisers in the East Midlands are celebrating becoming the first in the country to achieve the SFEDI / ILM L5 Diploma in Business Support.

A significant proportion of EMB Ltd operational staff have now successfully achieved the nationally recognised SFEDI / ILM L5 Diploma in Business Support qualification, with all current advisory staff committing to successfully achieve the full Diploma qualification by March 2010.

SFEDI is the Government recognised UK Standards Setting Body for Business Support and Business Enterprise and sets the standards for small business learning and support.

The SFEDI / ILM L5 Diploma in Business Support aims to develop the comprehensive skills, knowledge and understanding of business support needed by those working in the business support sector.

Commitment to customers

Stephen Smith, Chief Executive of EMB Ltd, the organisation that delivers the Business Link, Train to Gain and UKTI services across the East Midlands said the organisation is delighted. "As an organisation, we always strive for excellence and continuous improvement and achieving this quality standard reinforces our commitment to our customers."

Ruth Lowbridge, Director of SFEDI's network of National Centre's says "we are extremely pleased that EMB chose the new ILM L5 qualification and that they have used the programme to ensure both personal & professional learning and development has taken place, which will ultimately reflect in the service offered to the customer. The quality of the information provided for External Verification was extremely high and sets the benchmark for all those in the business support profession."

The Diploma programme, delivered by Quality Recognition Ltd; the leading SFEDI Centre of Excellence, has been viewed by those participating as an extremely effective programme and they valued the external mentoring & assessment from highly qualified Mentors as giving credibility in the business support sector.

Participants' comments:

• I was initially sceptical but am now an advocate!

• A very worthwhile and valuable exercise relevant to the business support role.

• Excellent programme. I appreciate the help & support I received from my Mentor.

• The programme was an eye opener and made me reflect on different styles of business support

Stephen Smith from EMB Ltd continues "As well as quality assuring the service we provide to our clients, it has also assisted the learning & development within EMB Ltd which we consider as vital for any growing businesses like ourselves."