Certification FAQs

Training refers to the course or learning experience itself, while certification is the recognised outcome gained after completing accredited learning or passing an assessment. Training develops the capability; certification confirms it.

The benefits of the certifications Catalyst is able to offer include:

• Independently awarded, not provider-issued – the credential comes from an external awarding body that sets the standard, so it’s evidence an employer can verify.
• Verifiable against a known standard – anyone assessing it can check what the certification requires and what level it represents.
• Mobility between roles and sectors – the certification is recognised beyond the organisation you earned it in, rather than tied to one employer’s internal scheme.
• A recognised signal in hiring and promotion – a qualification an employer already knows and trusts does the explaining for you at the points where it counts.
• A clear route to progression – accredited certification sits on a defined pathway, so the level you hold means something in relation to the next one.
• Evidence for tenders and bids – accredited certification often counts towards client requirements and framework criteria, which matters in regulated and bid-driven sectors.
• Rigour that’s been tested – assessment against an external standard, so the capability claimed is the capability held, not self-assessed.
• Kept current by external review – accredited provision is reviewed against the awarding body’s standards, so the syllabus reflects current practice rather than what was current when the material was written.
• Material that has to meet the standard – to hold accreditation, course content and assessment must satisfy the awarding partner’s requirements, and they’re revisited as those requirements evolve.
• A lasting asset – the qualification doesn’t expire with the course; it keeps its standing as the accreditation is maintained.

For all of our open training programmes, the certification fee is included in the course price, so there’s nothing further to pay.

For programmes delivered to teams and organisations, we can arrange certification either up front as a single cost across the cohort, or per learner as each one is ready to be certified – whichever suits you best. Talk to us and we’ll set it up the way that works for you.

The exact requirements depend on the awarding body.

For Lean Six Sigma, BQF and LCS certification requires three things: completing the training, passing a knowledge-check exam, and demonstrating that you can apply the methods and tools you’ve learned. The requirements rise with each level – what’s expected at Yellow Belt is a lighter version of what’s expected at Green, and so on up. The same applies to Lean certifications.

ICAgile certification is assessed differently. Rather than an exam, your contribution, participation and understanding are assessed during the course against specific learning outcomes, so the evidence is what you bring to the sessions themselves.

Scrum.org requires you to pass an exam which is hosted on their website. The courses include exam preparation.

The requirements for each course are set out clearly and transparently so you know what you’re working towards before you start.

All of the certification bodies we use provide lifetiem certificatiosn which do not expire.

BQF does offer a Licence of Current Practice which is renewable every three years. This certifies that you are continuing to practice as a BQF certified practitioner. This is an optional service, your BQF certification does not expire.