ATU-CPAC Assessed Training Program Standards
Standards for the Design, Approval, Delivery, Assessment, Quality Assurance, and Certification of Assessed Training Programs
Summary
The ATU-CPAC Assessed Training Program Standards provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring that assessed training programs are structured, outcome-based, professionally relevant, assessment-driven, quality assured, and properly documented.
These standards ensure that assessed certificates are based on demonstrated achievement, not attendance alone.
Through clear learning outcomes, approved curriculum design, valid assessment, qualified trainers and assessors, internal and external quality assurance, accurate records, and controlled certificate issuance, ATU-CPAC protects the credibility of ATU-issued assessed certificates and strengthens trust among learners, providers, employers, partners, and stakeholders.
1. Purpose of the Standards
The ATU-CPAC Assessed Training Program (Completion Programs) Standards define the requirements for developing, approving, delivering, assessing, quality assuring, recording, and certifying training programs that include formal assessment and lead to an assessed certificate or certificate of achievement.
These standards are intended to ensure that assessed training programs are not based on attendance alone, but on clear learning outcomes, structured learning activities, valid assessment methods, evidence of learner achievement, internal quality assurance, and approved certificate issuance procedures.
An assessed training program must provide evidence that the learner has completed the approved learning requirements and successfully met the required assessment criteria.
ATU-CPAC regulates and governs the standards, assessment requirements, quality assurance controls, and certificate eligibility conditions for assessed training programs. All certificates governed by these standards are issued in the name and under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union.
Standard 1: Program Governance and Approval
1.1 Program Approval Requirement
Every assessed training program must be reviewed and approved before delivery where it leads to an ATU Assessed Certificate, Certificate of Achievement, or any other approved assessed training certificate title.
1.2 Approved Scope
Approved providers may only deliver assessed training programs within their approved accreditation scope.
The provider must not advertise, deliver, assess, or request certificates for programs outside the approved scope unless prior approval is granted by ATU-CPAC.
1.3 Program Responsibility
Each assessed training program must have a designated program manager, coordinator, or responsible officer who ensures compliance with ATU-CPAC requirements.
1.4 Separation of Training and Certificate Decision
The provider may deliver the program and conduct assessment activities where authorized, but the final certificate issuance decision remains under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union through ATU-CPAC procedures.
1.5 Program Version Control
All approved assessed training programs must have version control for program specifications, learning materials, assessment tools, rubrics, and certificate requirements.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Program approval record
- Approved scope document
- Program specification
- Program responsibility matrix
- Provider authorization record
- Version control log
- Program review records
- Certificate eligibility procedure
- ATU-CPAC approval correspondence
Standard 2: Program Specification
2.1 Program Specification Requirement
Each assessed training program must have a documented program specification that clearly defines the structure, purpose, outcomes, assessment requirements, delivery arrangements, and certificate outcome.
2.2 Required Program Specification Components
The program specification should include:
- Program title
- Program purpose
- Target audience
- Program level where applicable
- Entry requirements
- Duration and contact hours
- Delivery mode
- Learning outcomes
- Competency or skill areas
- Program content
- Learning activities
- Assessment methods
- Assessment criteria
- Passing or achievement requirements
- Attendance requirements where applicable
- Trainer requirements
- Assessor requirements
- Internal quality assurance arrangements
- Certificate title and eligibility rules
- Required learner evidence
- Records retention requirements
2.3 Alignment with ATU-CPAC Standards
The program specification must align with ATU-CPAC standards, the approved provider scope, and the intended certificate outcome.
2.4 Public Information Alignment
Information published on websites, brochures, registration forms, and marketing materials must match the approved program specification.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Approved program specification
- Curriculum map
- Learning outcome map
- Assessment criteria map
- Certificate eligibility map
- Delivery plan
- Published program information
- Program approval and revision records
Standard 3: Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
3.1 Learning Outcome Requirement
Every assessed training program must include clear, measurable learning outcomes that describe what the learner will be able to do by the end of the program.
3.2 Measurable Wording
Learning outcomes should use measurable action verbs such as:
- Explain
- Apply
- Analyze
- Demonstrate
- Prepare
- Design
- Develop
- Evaluate
- Implement
- Present
- Produce
- Review
- Assess
3.3 Assessment Criteria
Each learning outcome must have assessment criteria that define how achievement will be judged.
3.4 Outcome and Assessment Alignment
Assessment tasks must directly measure the approved learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
3.5 Level Appropriateness
Learning outcomes and assessment criteria must be appropriate to the program level, duration, target audience, and intended professional purpose.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Learning outcomes
- Assessment criteria
- Outcome-to-assessment mapping
- Program level descriptor where applicable
- Assessment task alignment records
- Rubrics or marking guides
- Program review records
Standard 4: Program Content and Curriculum Design
4.1 Curriculum Relevance
Program content must be professionally relevant, current, accurate, practical, and aligned with the needs of the target learners and the intended professional area.
4.2 Curriculum Structure
The curriculum should be structured into clear modules, units, sessions, or learning sections.
4.3 Content Coverage
The curriculum must provide sufficient coverage of the knowledge, skills, applications, and professional practices required to achieve the learning outcomes.
4.4 Practical Application
Assessed training programs should include practical application, case studies, exercises, simulations, projects, or workplace-related tasks where appropriate.
4.5 Curriculum Review
Program content must be reviewed periodically to ensure continued relevance, accuracy, and alignment with professional practice.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Curriculum plan
- Module outlines
- Session plans
- Training materials
- Learner workbook
- Trainer guide
- Practical activity instructions
- Case studies
- Curriculum review records
- Updated material records
Standard 5: Delivery Standards
5.1 Approved Delivery Modes
Assessed training programs shall be delivered through approved modes, including:
- Face-to-face delivery
- Online live delivery
- Blended learning
- Self-paced online learning where approved
- Workplace-based learning
- Practical workshops
- Hybrid delivery
5.2 Delivery Plan
The provider must maintain a delivery plan that defines:
- Session schedule
- Learning activities
- Trainer responsibilities
- Learner tasks
- Assessment points
- Attendance requirements
- Learner support arrangements
- Required resources
- Delivery platform where applicable
5.3 Consistency of Delivery
Programs must be delivered consistently across different groups, locations, trainers, branches, or online platforms.
5.4 Learner Engagement
The provider must support active learner engagement through appropriate methods such as discussion, practice, reflection, case studies, projects, group work, or applied tasks.
5.5 Delivery Monitoring
The provider must monitor program delivery to ensure that the approved content, duration, learning outcomes, and assessment requirements are followed.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Delivery schedule
- Session plans
- Trainer attendance records
- Learner attendance records
- LMS records where applicable
- Delivery monitoring reports
- Trainer observation reports
- Learner participation evidence
- Delivery evaluation forms
Standard 6: Trainer Requirements
6.1 Trainer Competence
Trainers delivering assessed training programs must have appropriate subject knowledge, practical experience, instructional skills, and a clear understanding of the program learning outcomes, assessment requirements, and approved program specification.
6.2 Arab Trainers Union Trainer Certification Requirement
All trainers delivering ATU-CPAC approved assessed training programs must be certified by the Arab Trainers Union in a relevant trainer category or professional level. The trainer’s certification must be valid, current, and in good standing at the time of program delivery.
6.3 Trainer Approval
Trainers must meet the trainer certification requirements of the Arab Trainers Union. Where required, trainers may also be reviewed or approved by ATU-CPAC before delivering assessed training programs.
6.4 Trainer Responsibilities
Trainers must:
- Deliver the approved content
• Follow the program specification
• Support learner achievement
• Explain assessment requirements clearly
• Maintain professional conduct
• Avoid misleading learners regarding certification, assessment, accreditation, or certificate issuance
• Maintain attendance and participation records
• Provide appropriate learning support
• Report learner concerns where relevant
• Cooperate with quality assurance reviews
• Maintain the validity of their Arab Trainers Union trainer certification
• Comply with ATU-CPAC quality assurance, assessment, and professional conduct requirements
6.4 Trainer Development
Trainers must maintain professional competence through continuing professional development, standardization meetings, program updates, and reflective practice.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Trainer CVs
- Trainer qualification records
- Professional experience records
- Trainer approval forms
- Trainer orientation records
- CPD records
- Trainer observation records
- Learner feedback on trainer performance
- Trainer standardization records
Standard 7: Learner Admission and Registration
7.1 Admission Criteria
Learners must be admitted according to the approved entry requirements of the assessed training program.
7.2 Registration Records
The provider must maintain accurate learner registration records before program delivery begins.
7.3 Learner Information
Learners must receive clear information before registration, including:
- Program title
- Program purpose
- Learning outcomes
- Duration
- Delivery mode
- Attendance requirements
- Assessment requirements
- Passing or achievement requirements
- Certificate eligibility conditions
- Fees where applicable
- Retake or resubmission rules
- Complaints and appeals process
- Data protection and certificate verification rules
7.4 Candidate Identity
Where certificates are issued, learner identity must be verified according to approved procedures.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Learner application forms
- Registration records
- Identity verification records
- Entry requirement evidence
- Learner handbook
- Candidate declaration
- Attendance records
- Learner communication records
- Terms and conditions acceptance records
Standard 8: Assessment Requirement for Assessed Training Programs
8.1 Assessment Requirement
An assessed training program must include formal assessment that confirms learner achievement of the approved learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
8.2 Attendance Alone Is Not Sufficient
Attendance alone must not be used as the only basis for issuing an assessed certificate.
A learner shall be required to attend the program, but certificate eligibility must also depend on successful completion of assessment requirements.
8.3 Assessment Methods
Assessment methods may include:
- Knowledge questions
- Scenario-based tasks
- Case study analysis
- Practical exercises
- Professional project
- Portfolio of evidence
- Presentation
- Reflective report
- Observation of performance
- Skills demonstration
- Assignment
- Quiz or examination
- Workplace evidence
- Group or individual task where appropriate
8.4 Assessment Sufficiency
The assessment must produce sufficient evidence that the learner has met the approved criteria.
8.5 Assessment Timing
Assessment may take place during the program, at the end of the program, after completion of learning activities, or through a combination of staged assessment points.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Assessment plan
- Assessment instruments
- Candidate assessment briefs
- Completed assessments
- Marking records
- Rubrics
- Observation records
- Portfolio evidence
- Learner submissions
- Assessment completion records
Standard 9: Assessment Design and Rubrics
9.1 Clear Assessment Design
Assessment tasks must be clearly designed and aligned with the learning outcomes.
9.2 Candidate Instructions
Each assessment must include clear instructions covering:
- Task requirements
- Submission format
- Deadline
- Evidence required
- Individual or group requirements
- Word count or time limit where applicable
- Assessment criteria
- Passing requirements
- Academic integrity rules
- Resubmission rules
9.3 Rubrics and Marking Guides
Assessments must be supported by rubrics, checklists, answer guides, marking schemes, or performance descriptors.
9.4 Grading Approach
The program must define whether learner achievement is recorded as:
- Pass or fail
- Achieved or not achieved
- Competent or not yet competent
- Percentage score
- Graded achievement
- Completion with distinction where approved
9.5 Feedback
Learners should receive feedback that is clear, constructive, and linked to the assessment criteria.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Assessment brief
- Assessment instructions
- Rubric
- Marking scheme
- Observation checklist
- Model answers where applicable
- Feedback records
- Grading policy
- Resubmission policy
Standard 10: Assessor Requirements
10.1 Assessor Competence
Assessors must have appropriate subject knowledge, assessment competence, and understanding of the approved assessment criteria.
10.2 Assessor Approval
Assessors must be approved before assessing learner work.
10.3 Assessor Responsibilities
Assessors must:
- Apply assessment criteria consistently
- Make evidence-based decisions
- Provide appropriate feedback
- Maintain confidentiality
- Declare conflicts of interest
- Keep accurate records
- Report malpractice concerns
- Cooperate with internal quality assurance
- Follow approved assessment procedures
10.4 Assessor Standardization
Assessors must participate in standardization activities where more than one assessor is involved or where consistency of judgement is required.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Assessor CVs
- Assessor approval records
- Assessor qualification records
- Assessment training records
- Standardization meeting records
- Conflict of interest declarations
- Assessor monitoring records
- Assessor feedback records
Standard 11: Internal Quality Assurance of Assessed Programs
11.1 IQA Requirement
Assessed training programs must be subject to internal quality assurance to confirm that delivery, assessment, marking, feedback, and certificate eligibility decisions are consistent and compliant.
11.2 IQA Sampling
Internal quality assurance sampling should include:
- Assessment tools
- Learner evidence
- Assessor decisions
- Feedback quality
- Borderline cases
- Failed or not achieved cases
- High-achieving cases
- Different trainers
- Different assessors
- Different learner groups
- Different delivery modes
11.3 IQA Review Areas
IQA review should examine:
- Alignment with learning outcomes
- Assessment validity
- Marking consistency
- Quality of learner evidence
- Use of rubrics
- Quality of feedback
- Recordkeeping
- Attendance and completion evidence
- Certificate eligibility decisions
- Compliance with ATU-CPAC requirements
11.4 Corrective Action
Where IQA identifies weaknesses, corrective action must be completed before certificate requests are submitted.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- IQA policy
- IQA sampling plan
- IQA reports
- Learner evidence samples
- Assessor feedback records
- Corrective action records
- Standardization records
- Result approval records
- Certificate eligibility sign-off records
Standard 12: External Quality Assurance and ATU-CPAC Oversight
12.1 External Oversight
ATU-CPAC may apply external quality assurance to assessed training programs, providers, assessment tools, learner evidence, assessor decisions, certificate requests, and delivery records.
12.2 EQA Activities
External quality assurance may include:
- Program document review
- Assessment tool review
- Sampling learner evidence
- Review of assessor decisions
- Review of IQA records
- Observation of delivery
- Observation of assessment
- Audit of provider records
- Review of learner feedback
- Review of certificate requests
- Review of complaints and appeals
12.3 EQA Outcomes
External quality assurance may result in:
- Approval of certificate requests
- Request for additional evidence
- Corrective action requirement
- Increased sampling
- Reassessment requirement
- Program revision requirement
- Temporary hold on certificate issuance
- Suspension of program delivery
- Limitation of provider scope
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- EQA reports
- External sampling records
- EQA correspondence
- Corrective action plans
- Follow-up evidence
- Certificate approval records
- Monitoring reports
- Program audit records
Standard 13: Attendance, Participation, and Completion Requirements
13.1 Attendance Requirement
Where attendance is required, the program specification must define the minimum attendance percentage or participation requirement.
13.2 Participation Evidence
For practical, online, blended, or interactive programs, participation evidence may include:
- Attendance logs
- LMS activity reports
- Participation records
- Activity completion records
- Discussion contributions
- Practical task completion
- Project milestones
- Trainer confirmation
13.3 Completion Requirement
Completion requirements must clearly distinguish between:
- Attendance completion
- Learning activity completion
- Assessment completion
- Successful achievement
- Certificate eligibility
13.4 Non-Completion
Learners who do not meet attendance, participation, or assessment requirements must not be reported as eligible for an assessed certificate.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Attendance policy
- Attendance records
- LMS participation records
- Activity completion records
- Trainer confirmation records
- Completion checklist
- Non-completion records
- Certificate eligibility records
Standard 14: Learner Evidence and Authenticity
14.1 Evidence Requirement
Learner evidence must be sufficient, authentic, current, and relevant to the assessment criteria.
14.2 Authenticity Declaration
Learners shall be required to confirm that submitted work is their own and that any support, sources, or tools used have been declared.
14.3 Evidence Types
Evidence may include:
- Written responses
- Case study analysis
- Project outputs
- Practical task records
- Observation records
- Presentation slides
- Video evidence where approved
- Workplace documents
- Portfolio evidence
- Reflective logs
- Trainer or assessor records
14.4 AI-Assisted Work
Where artificial intelligence tools are permitted, the provider must define acceptable use and require disclosure where necessary.
AI-assisted work must not replace the learner’s own achievement, competence, judgment, or performance evidence.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Learner submissions
- Authenticity declarations
- AI use declarations where applicable
- Portfolio evidence
- Observation records
- Assessor notes
- Source acknowledgement records
- Malpractice investigation records where applicable
Standard 15: Results, Achievement, and Certificate Eligibility
15.1 Result Recording
Assessment results must be recorded accurately, securely, and consistently.
15.2 Achievement Decision
A learner shall be considered successful only where they have met the approved learning outcomes, assessment criteria, and completion requirements.
15.3 Certificate Eligibility
Certificate eligibility must be based on documented evidence, including:
- Registration record
- Identity verification where required
- Attendance or participation record where required
- Completed assessment evidence
- Assessor decision
- IQA approval
- EQA approval where required
- No unresolved malpractice issue
- Certificate request approval
15.4 Result Categories
Approved result categories may include:
- Achieved
- Not achieved
- Pass
- Fail
- Referred
- Resubmission required
- Completed but not assessed
- Attendance only where applicable and separately identified
15.5 No Automatic Certificate
A learner must not receive an assessed certificate solely because they registered, paid fees, attended sessions, or participated in the program.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Result sheets
- Assessment decision records
- Attendance records
- Completion checklist
- IQA sign-off
- EQA approval where applicable
- Certificate eligibility list
- Certificate request record
- Result notification records
Standard 16: Certificate Titles and Issuance Controls
16.1 Approved Certificate Titles
Assessed training programs may lead to one of the approved certificate titles according to ATU-CPAC policy.
These may include:
- ATU Assessed Certificate
- Certificate of Achievement
- Other approved assessed training certificate title
16.2 Certificate Title Accuracy
The certificate title must accurately reflect the nature of the program and must not misrepresent the learner’s achievement as a full professional certification unless the learner has met the requirements of an approved professional certification scheme.
16.3 Certificate Issuance Authority
All ATU assessed certificates and certificates of achievement must be issued in the name and under the authority of the Arab Trainers Union.
16.4 Certificate Information
Certificates should include appropriate information such as:
- Learner name
- Program title
- Certificate title
- Certificate number
- Issue date
- Program duration where applicable
- Assessment status or achievement statement
- Issuing authority
- Verification method
- Authorized signature
- Approved seal or mark
16.5 Certificate Request Procedure
The provider must submit certificate requests according to ATU-CPAC procedures and must include all required evidence and approvals.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Approved certificate title record
- Certificate request forms
- Certificate eligibility records
- Result approval records
- Certificate issuance records
- Certificate numbering records
- Verification records
- Registry submission records where applicable
Standard 17: Retake, Resubmission, and Remediation
17.1 Retake Rules
Where assessments include exams, quizzes, practical tests, or demonstrations, retake rules must be clear and consistently applied.
17.2 Resubmission Rules
Where assignments, projects, portfolios, or reports are used, resubmission rules must define:
- What shall be resubmitted
- Deadline for resubmission
- Feedback permitted
- Maximum number of attempts
- Reassessment method
- Additional fee where applicable
- Final result rules
17.3 Remediation Support
Learners who do not meet assessment requirements should receive clear guidance on required improvement where resubmission or retake is permitted.
17.4 Integrity of Reassessment
Retake or resubmission must not lower the standard of achievement required.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Retake policy
- Resubmission policy
- Referral records
- Learner feedback records
- Resubmitted evidence
- Reassessment records
- Final decision records
- Remediation support records
Standard 18: Complaints and Appeals
18.1 Complaints Procedure
Learners must have access to a clear complaints procedure relating to program delivery, learner support, administration, assessment conditions, trainer conduct, or service quality.
18.2 Appeals Procedure
Learners must have the right to appeal assessment decisions or procedural decisions according to approved procedures.
18.3 Grounds for Appeal
Appeals may relate to:
- Assessment decision
- Procedural error
- Reasonable adjustment decision
- Evidence not considered
- Suspected bias
- Marking or recording error
- Maladministration
18.4 Appeal Timeline
Appeals must be submitted within the approved timeframe, normally within 15 days from notification of the assessment result unless another approved policy applies.
18.5 Escalation
Where required, unresolved complaints or appeals shall be escalated to ATU-CPAC according to approved procedures.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Complaints policy
- Appeals policy
- Complaint forms
- Appeal forms
- Investigation records
- Decision letters
- Corrective action records
- Escalation records
- Final outcome records
Standard 19: Malpractice and Maladministration
19.1 Malpractice Prevention
The provider must prevent learner, trainer, assessor, staff, or partner malpractice in assessed training programs.
19.2 Learner Malpractice
Learner malpractice may include:
- Cheating
- Plagiarism
- Impersonation
- Collusion
- Falsified evidence
- Unauthorized assistance
- Misuse of AI tools where prohibited
- Submission of another person’s work
19.3 Provider or Staff Maladministration
Maladministration may include:
- Incorrect assessment instructions
- Insecure assessment handling
- Poor recordkeeping
- Result manipulation
- Unapproved assessment changes
- Misleading certificate claims
- Unauthorized certificate request
- Failure to conduct IQA
- Failure to report serious issues
19.4 Investigation and Reporting
Suspected malpractice or maladministration must be investigated, documented, and reported according to ATU-CPAC procedures.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Malpractice policy
- Candidate declarations
- Incident reports
- Investigation records
- Evidence records
- Decision letters
- Sanction records
- Corrective action plans
- Reporting records
Standard 20: Online, Blended, and Digital Delivery
20.1 Digital Delivery Standards
Where assessed training programs are delivered online or through blended learning, the provider must ensure that the digital learning environment is suitable, secure, accessible, and properly managed.
20.2 Learning Platform Requirements
The learning platform should support:
- Learner registration
- Secure access
- Learning materials
- Activity tracking
- Attendance or participation tracking
- Assessment submission
- Feedback delivery
- Communication
- Recordkeeping
- Technical support
20.3 Online Assessment Controls
Online assessment must include appropriate controls for identity verification, submission tracking, assessment security, authenticity, and technical reliability.
20.4 Technical Support
Learners must receive clear guidance and support for accessing the digital platform and completing online learning or assessment activities.
20.5 Digital Evidence
Digital evidence must be stored securely and must be available for IQA, EQA, monitoring, and certificate eligibility review.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- LMS access records
- Platform screenshots
- Learner activity logs
- Online assessment submissions
- Technical support records
- Digital attendance records
- Feedback records
- System incident reports
- Digital evidence archive
Standard 21: Records Management and Data Protection
21.1 Records Management
The provider must maintain accurate, complete, secure, and retrievable records for all assessed training programs.
21.2 Required Records
Required records may include:
- Program approval records
- Learner registration records
- Attendance records
- Assessment submissions
- Assessment decisions
- Feedback records
- IQA records
- EQA records
- Result records
- Certificate request records
- Complaints and appeals
- Malpractice records
- Trainer and assessor records
21.3 Data Protection
Learner personal data must be processed and stored according to applicable data protection requirements and ATU-CPAC policies.
21.4 Confidentiality
Assessment evidence, results, personal data, complaints, appeals, and quality assurance records must be handled confidentially.
21.5 Retention Period
Records must be retained for the period required by ATU-CPAC policy, applicable law, or provider agreement.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Records management policy
- Data protection policy
- Retention schedule
- Secure storage records
- Access control records
- Candidate consent records
- Assessment archives
- Certificate records
- Data correction or breach records where applicable
Standard 22: Public Information and Marketing
22.1 Accurate Information
All public information about assessed training programs must be accurate, current, clear, and not misleading.
22.2 Required Public Information
Published information should include:
- Program title
- Program purpose
- Target audience
- Duration
- Delivery mode
- Learning outcomes
- Assessment requirements
- Certificate title
- Certificate eligibility rules
- Fees where applicable
- Provider status
- ATU certificate issuance authority
- Verification information where applicable
22.3 Prohibited Claims
Providers must not claim:
- Certificate entitlement without assessment
- Professional certification where the program only leads to an assessed certificate
- ATU certificate issuance authority beyond approved procedures
- Accreditation beyond approved scope
- Guaranteed success
- Recognition not formally approved
22.4 Use of Marks
ATU, ATU-CPAC, and related marks must be used only according to approved brand and authorization rules.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Website screenshots
- Brochures
- Social media posts
- Marketing approval records
- Approved wording records
- Logo use approval records
- Public information review records
- Correction records where applicable
Standard 23: Program Review and Continuous Improvement
23.1 Periodic Review
Assessed training programs must be reviewed periodically to ensure continued relevance, effectiveness, quality, and compliance.
23.2 Review Inputs
Program review should consider:
- Learner feedback
- Trainer feedback
- Assessor feedback
- IQA findings
- EQA findings
- Assessment outcomes
- Completion rates
- Complaints and appeals
- Malpractice cases
- Employer or stakeholder feedback where applicable
- Sector updates
- Changes in professional practice
- Technology changes
23.3 Improvement Actions
Program review findings must lead to documented improvement actions where required.
23.4 Approval of Changes
Significant changes to program title, learning outcomes, assessment methods, certificate title, delivery mode, duration, or scope must be approved before implementation.
Compliance Evidence
The provider should maintain:
- Program review reports
- Feedback analysis
- Assessment outcome analysis
- Completion data
- Improvement plans
- Updated program documents
- Change approval records
- Version control records
- Review meeting minutes
Assessed Training Program Methodology Framework
ATU-CPAC assessed training programs may use a combination of the following methodologies according to program purpose, duration, level, and target audience.
- Learning Outcome-Based Design
The program is designed around measurable learning outcomes that define what the learner should be able to do by the end of the program.
- Competency-Linked Design
Where the program supports professional practice, outcomes and assessment criteria are linked to defined competencies, workplace tasks, or professional skills.
- Activity-Based Learning
Learners engage in structured activities, exercises, discussions, workshops, case studies, simulations, or applied tasks.
- Assessment-Based Completion
Certificate eligibility is based on successful completion of assessment requirements, not attendance alone.
- Portfolio-Based Evidence
Where appropriate, learners may produce a portfolio containing evidence of learning, application, reflection, and achievement.
- Practical Application
Learners demonstrate their ability to apply learning in practical or professional contexts through projects, presentations, tasks, or workplace examples.
- Quality-Assured Achievement
Assessment decisions are reviewed through internal quality assurance and, where required, external quality assurance before certificate requests are approved.
Compliance Rating System
ATU-CPAC may classify assessed training program compliance findings as follows:
Compliant
The program meets the standard and maintains sufficient evidence.
Minor Non-Compliance
The requirement is generally met, but documentation, clarity, consistency, implementation, or recordkeeping requires improvement.
Major Non-Compliance
A key requirement is not met, creating risk to learning quality, assessment validity, learner protection, certificate eligibility, or ATU credential credibility.
Critical Non-Compliance
There is serious failure, malpractice, unauthorized certificate activity, misleading claims, assessment manipulation, data misuse, or conduct that threatens the credibility of ATU-issued certificates.
Program and Certificate Decisions
Based on review, assessment, and quality assurance outcomes, ATU-CPAC may recognize or recommend one or more of the following decisions:
- Assessed training program approved
- Program approved with conditions
- Program returned for revision
- Program approval deferred pending corrective action
- Learner achieved requirements
- Learner not yet achieved requirements
- Learner referred for resubmission
- Certificate request approved
- Certificate request withheld pending evidence
- Certificate request refused
- Program delivery suspended
- Provider scope limited
- Corrective action required
- Program approval withdrawn
- Registry or verification status updated where applicable
Obligations of Approved Providers
Approved providers delivering assessed training programs must:
- Deliver only approved programs within approved scope
- Use approved program specifications
- Provide accurate learner information
- Use qualified trainers and assessors
- Provide clear assessment instructions
- Maintain attendance and participation records
- Conduct valid and fair assessment
- Apply approved rubrics and criteria
- Conduct internal quality assurance
- Submit accurate certificate requests
- Maintain secure learner and assessment records
- Report malpractice or serious incidents
- Cooperate with ATU-CPAC monitoring
- Use ATU and ATU-CPAC marks correctly
- Avoid misleading certificate claims
- Implement corrective actions where required
Obligations of Trainers
Trainers delivering assessed training programs must:
- Deliver approved content
- Support learners toward the learning outcomes
- Explain assessment requirements clearly
- Maintain professional conduct
- Encourage learner engagement
- Record attendance and participation
- Report learner issues or concerns
- Avoid making unauthorized certificate promises
- Cooperate with assessment and quality assurance requirements
- Maintain subject and training competence
Obligations of Assessors
Assessors must:
- Assess only within their approved competence
- Apply assessment criteria consistently
- Make evidence-based decisions
- Provide clear and constructive feedback
- Maintain confidentiality
- Declare conflicts of interest
- Report malpractice concerns
- Participate in standardization where required
- Cooperate with IQA and EQA
- Keep accurate assessment records
Obligations of Learners
Learners must:
- Attend or participate as required
- Complete required learning activities
- Follow assessment instructions
- Submit authentic work
- Meet deadlines
- Respect academic and professional integrity
- Declare sources and AI use where required
- Participate in assessment fairly
- Use complaints and appeals procedures appropriately
- Avoid misuse of certificate claims
Minimum Assessed Training Program File Requirements
Each assessed training program file should include:
- Program approval record
- Approved program specification
- Curriculum map
- Learning outcomes and assessment criteria
- Delivery plan
- Session plans
- Trainer guide
- Learner guide or workbook
- Assessment plan
- Assessment instruments
- Candidate assessment brief
- Rubrics and marking guides
- Trainer and assessor approval records
- Learner registration records
- Attendance and participation records
- Learner assessment submissions
- Marking records
- Feedback records
- IQA sampling records
- EQA records where applicable
- Result records
- Certificate eligibility checklist
- Certificate request records
- Complaints and appeals records
- Malpractice records
- Learner feedback records
- Program review reports
- Corrective action records
- Version control records