Training For Success: Social Enterprise Qualification on the Hunt for New Training Providers

Following the successful launch of the Real Ideas Organisation's (RIO's) Social Enterprise Qualification (SEQ) at the House of Commons in January, its developers are on the hunt for SEQ training providers who can help them keep up with demand, by training SEQ mentors to deliver the Qualification across the UK.

The first stand-alone international qualification in Social Enterprise, SEQ is a new way to recognise and encourage young people and adults working  for positive social change. By focusing on learning through doing, the Qualification develops learners' understanding and experience of social enterprise, so that with the support of vital SEQ mentors, learners can discover how to balance people, planet and profit for themselves.

Since its successful pilot in 2010/11, SEQ has been taken up by learners nationwide. RIO relies on its network of training providers to provide the essential training SEQ mentors need to support these learners' through the Qualification process.

With interest in SEQ already surpassing expectations, the team is searching for new organisations with specific skills and experience delivering work-related learning programmes interested in becoming its second raft of training providers. Providers get a whole host of benefits, from the financial return of running training, to the opportunities that come from engaging with a growing and bouyant business sector.

Says Paula Winzar, RIO lead developer and creator of SEQ, 'We rely on our excellent training providers to make SEQ happen and we're excited about getting more organisations practiced in working with young people, communities and volunteers onboard. There's a clear financial incentive to becoming an SEQ training provider, but for many of the organisations we work with it's about more than that. They want to network with schools and youth organisations, reach new audiences but most of all help young people to become the change making social entrepreneurs of the future.'

For those successfully selected organisations, SEQ's recruitment drive marks an opportunity to become part of an innovative venture that is changing the face and future of social enterprise. 

Interested organisations are invited to log on to www.realideas.org/seq to find out more and download an application pack. Applications close on the 14th May.

SEQ would like to stress that it is only considering applications from organisations with proven experience delivering work-related programmes in the youth, community and voluntary sectors.