Institute of Sales and Marketing Management Outlines New Qualifications at HRD

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND, March 02, 2011

The Institute of Sales & Marketing Management (ISMM) will be outlining its new qualifications to human resources professionals at its stand at this year's HRD Conference & Exhibition, being held on 6th and 7th April at Olympia, in London.

The new ISMM qualifications are part of a long-term national framework initiative to raise both the parity and esteem of vocational training. The qualifications are recognised by Ofqual, the UK Government qualifications regulatory body, which ensures that qualifications are of the highest standard through its rigorous quality assurance procedures.

The ISMM's new qualifications fit into a framework, called the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). The QCF is a database of qualifications mapped to a grid showing on one axis the level of difficulty and on the other axis the 'size' of the qualification.

The levels go from one to eight, and the size is determined by name, with 'small' qualifications being called Awards, 'medium' ones Certificates and 'large' ones Diplomas. Qualifications comprise units which different awarding organisations, such as the ISMM, share, and each unit is worth a certain amount of 'credit', based on the size of the unit.

"There are Awards at level 1; Awards and a Certificate at level 2 and Awards, a Certificate and a Diploma at level 3," said Denise Edens, the ISMM's Director of Education. "We will have introduced level 4, 5 and 6 Awards, Certificates and Diplomas on 1st April.

"To help learners, we've published study guides to support their learning," she added. "These guides, unique in the world of sales training and qualifications, have been tailored to each unit's assessment criteria, so learners can use the guide for self-study or as part of their course - delivered via ISMM-approved training providers."

The courses leading to the ISMM's qualifications cover theory - such as understanding the sales cycle and the '7Ps of marketing' - as well as skills such as negotiating and closing sales. Most of the ISMM's new qualifications involve assessment via assignment or work-based evidence of achievement, although learners attempting level 1 will sit a multiple choice exam.

Denise Edens said: "Visitors to HRD who're responsible for learning and development within their organisation and who want to ensure that their organisation's sales and marketing staff are appropriately skilled - and those skills accredited - should find what they're looking for in these new ISMM qualifications.

"The qualifications can be taken full or part-time, by classroom, blended or distance learning - and, of course, QCF qualifications are designed to fit around work and family commitments. Moreover, learners are entitled to their own nationally recognised Learner Record where they can bank all of the credit they've achieved. "

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Notes for editors:

About The Institute of Sales & Marketing Management
The Institute of Sales & Marketing Management (ISMM) is the UK's largest association for sales professionals. Founded in 1911 to promote standards of excellence in sales and sales management and to enhance the status and profile of sales as a profession, the ISMM supports, represents and promotes the sales profession. It has been the authoritative voice of selling and the custodian of sales standards, ethics and best practice for many years.

The ISMM is also responsible for establishing benchmarks of professionalism in sales. It is the only membership body recognised by the UK Government regulatory body Ofqual as an awarding organisation to offer qualifications in sales, marketing and sales management.

The ISMM's annual British Excellence in Sales & Marketing Awards (BESMA) are the most prestigious awards for the sales profession.

Further information from:
Ben Turner, ISMM, +44 (0)1582 840001; bturner@ismm.co.uk

Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, +44 (0)1727 860405; bob.little@boblittlepr.com