City & Guilds’ International English for Speakers of Other Language (IESOL) has been approved by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) for visa applications, meaning migrants wishing to work, study or live in the UK may use a City & Guilds IESOL as proof of language ability.
The City & Guilds IESOL Diploma is having an impact on the lives of international learners wishing to work, live or study in the UK. In May 2011, the UKBA, an executive agency of the Home Office, added the City & Guilds qualification to a list of English language tests approved for visa applications. This comes as the UKBA introduces a new list of approved tests. The UKBA requires differing levels of language skill, dependent on whether migrants are arriving in the UK as students, skilled workers, highly skilled workers or spouses and partners. Mike Dawe, City & Guilds Director of International, said: ‘English is one of the key growth areas for City & Guilds and the UKBA recognition is another testimony to the strengths of the approach taken by us.’ Dawe believes that IESOL qualifications will open doors for learners around the world. ‘Employers and universities are looking for well-rounded candidates who have the confidence and the drive to achieve great things,’ he said. ‘We believe that our IESOL qualifications make a significant contribution to shaping the talent of the future.’
International openings City & Guilds International opened two new regional offices in Botswana and Barbados, plus two new offices in South Africa (Durban and Cape Town)
18 Mapping talent
Statistics released by City & Guilds in October 2011, showed that upskilling is growing worldwide, with 14% more learners compared with the previous year studying for City & Guilds qualifications in the 55 countries offering them.
Learner registration data in 2011 highlighted the breadth of City & Guilds’ international programme, with learners in more than 8500 centres across the world, studying over 500 qualifications, across 28 industries. Mike Dawe, City & Guilds Director of International, commented on the reasons behind the 14% increase in vocational study: ‘Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen significant growth in our international market. Work-based learning and skills training are vital to future global financial growth, so it’s really promising to see so many emerging economies developing their workforce.’ The data showed that the IT
industry has seen the greatest uptake of vocational qualifications, with 11,215 certifications in the period of the report. Hospitality and Catering is the second most popular, with 10,951 certifications. Bahrain had the highest number of learners training in retail, while Hong Kong learners are passionate about customer service. The data underlined the impact that City & Guilds is having at an international level, with over 75,000 individuals completing the 20 most popular qualifications in 2010-11.
‘Having offered internationally recognised qualifications for over 50 years locally, we are committed to facilitating career development, increasing competitiveness and supporting economic growth’ Guy Hewitt, City & Guilds Regional Manager for the Caribbean