The CIFE Professional Recognition Programme is a tiered framework designed to recognise and reward the professionalism and impact of individuals working within the Further Education and Skills sector. It emphasises the importance of extended professional development, including industry-linked experiences and research, to the delivery and leadership of high quality, relevant and impactful education,  encourages the pursuit of excellence and acknowledges the personal commitment of individuals to their ongoing development and experience.

Professionals who successfully apply are awarded an affiliation to the Chartered Institution for Further Education and the right to use post nominal designations. Awards are prestigious and can be conferred at one of the Institution’s Admission Ceremonies or recipients may choose to receive their award by post.

Find out more about Professional Recognition from the Chartered Institution for Further Education below. To receive further information or to arrange a conversation, you can also email the team at info@fecharter.org.uk.

Recognition Tiers

There are three levels of recognition. Applicants typically progress through the first and second tiers. Eligible individuals may then apply to become a Fellow of Chartered Institution.

• • Associate of the Chartered Institution for Further Education – ACFE

• • Licentiate of the Chartered Institution for Further Education – LCFE

• • Fellow of the Chartered Institution for Further Education – FCFE

Applying for Recognition

There are several routes to apply for professional recognition and become affiliated to the Chartered Institution. We aim to make the process straight forward and attainable.

The foundation of all routes is a the accumulation of meaningful professional development credits from one or more categories. The professional development can take many forms but to achieve the minimum threshold required, applicants will need to have undertaken a substantive activity as part of their ongoing development.

Direct applications

Applicants may apply directly to CIFE, submitting an application via the dedicated digital platform that details their development activities alongside a reflection statement covering the impact of the activity, future commitment to professional development and their cumulative experience.

A detailed guide to Professional Recognition and how to apply directly is available here.

Applications via a recognised partner programme

Alternatively, applications may be submitted via a partner route within a formal professional development programme that is already recognised by CIFE. CIFE collaborates with several renowned organisations delivering high quality and well respected professional development in the sector. We have worked together to map and pre-validate some of their specific programmes against the CIFE Professional Recognition Framework.  This means that individuals automatically become eligible to apply for the first tier of recognition on successful completion of one of these validated programmes and can apply directly via their CPD provider.

The CIFE Technical Leadership Programme for new and aspiring Principals and CEOs is also mapped to the Professional Recognition Programme and delegates completing this programme successfully have the opportunity to submit an integrated application at the end of the course.

Eligibility

Associate and Licentiate Recognition

To apply for recognition as an Associate or Licentiate of the Institution you should be working in the FE & Skills sector and hold an HE level qualification before you register to apply.

Fellowship

There are two routes to Fellowship of the Institution:

• By invitation as the responsible officer (CEO, Accounting Officer, Chair) of a Member organisation after the initial qualifying period.
• After achieving Licentiate level (LCFE) on the CIFE Professional Recognition Framework

Recognition at Fellowship level via either route currently requires nomination from senior representatives of two other FE organisations, one of which is not the applicant’s own employer. Typically, Fellowship is awarded after professionals have attained a level of responsibility, success and regard within the FE sector and can demonstrate wide ranging impact.

Detailed guidance on levels and how to register for the Recognition Programme and submit an application can be found here.

Fees

Where fees are not covered through an organisational membership, applicants or their organisations pay a one-off application fee. There are no recurring subscription fees.

Professionals employed in Member organisations 

Employees of organisations that are Members of CIFE may be able to apply at no cost as part of the corporate membership. For those who prefer to cover the fee independently or who fall outside of their employer’s corporate membership, there is a fee of £35 – £55 depending on award tier.

Professionals employed in non-Member organisations

For individuals who are not working within an organisation that is a CIFE Member, the single one-off fee ranges from £55 – £75 depending on the award tier.

Register Your Interest

If you’re interested in applying for Professional Recognition from the Chartered Institution for Further Education and would like to receive further information or to arrange a conversation, email the team at info@fecharter.org.uk.