For Learners

Laser Learning Awards (LASER) is an Awarding Organisation regulated by Ofqual, the regulator of qualifications in England, and licensed by QAA to offer Access to HE Diplomas. This means that we adhere to strict criteria to ensure that delivery, assessment and awarding of qualifications meets high standards and is carried out correctly.

Regulated qualifications are overseen by Ofqual (with Access to HE Diplomas overseen by QAA), while unregulated qualifications and courses are not. However, both regulated and unregulated provision meet high quality standards set by LASER. Unregulated provision can offer greater flexibility in course design and can be approved for exclusive company-specific courses.

If your LASER qualification certificate has the Ofqual logo on it then your qualification is regulated by Ofqual. If you are considering taking a qualification or course and are unsure if it is Ofqual regulated, the training centre will be able to answer this question.

LASER doesn’t directly deliver the training for regulated and unregulated qualifications. Training centres, such as colleges, private training centres, schools, community groups, etc. apply to us for approval to deliver the qualifications and courses. Approved centres must meet our high-quality standards, and this is continually monitored during their approval.

We monitor the ongoing compliance of our approved training centres to ensure they are meeting the standards required and effectively carrying out their role in delivering your training and assessment. Once you have completed your qualification and passed your assessments, your training centre will apply to us to carry out our final quality assurance checks which can include random sampling of your marked assessments. When we are satisfied that all the requirements have been met, we issue your certificate, which is sent to your training centre to be given to you.

Your training centre is your first point of contact.

They must have a policy in place to address your enquiries or any complaint you may have. As an Awarding Organisation we are unable to get involved with any dispute or problem between a learner and their training centre. However, there are instances where LASER can intervene when one of the following applies:

• A relevant appeal type as stated in our Appeals Policy and Procedures. This can include an appeal against an externally marked assessment (i.e. an assessment which LASER marks).

• An appeal against an assessment marked by your training centre ONLY if you have exhausted your centre’s appeals policy and the matter has not been dealt with by the centre in line with that policy.

• A complaint about LASER services as detailed in our Complaints Policy and Procedures.

• A complaint about your training centre as stated in our Complaints Policy and Procedures ONLY if you have followed and exhausted all steps of your centre’s own complaints policy and this policy has not been followed by the centre.

• An allegation of malpractice which directly affects or potentially affects you, as stated in our Malpractice and Maladministration Policy and Procedures.

• A whistleblowing disclosure which affects others but not yourself directly, as stated in our Whistleblowing  Policy and Procedures.

You can view all our Policies and Procedures here.

Yes, we offer a range of training courses to support individuals working or wanting to work in various training and education roles. Please see our Training page for further details.