City & Guilds Professional Recognition Awards

City & Guilds Professional Recognition Awards

Turn your leadership experience into a recognised qualification

Professional Recognition Awards (PRAs) enable experienced leaders and managers to gain a nationally recognised City & Guilds qualification based on the experience they have already developed through work, volunteering or both. City & Guilds qualifications are respected by employers and professional organisations across the UK and internationally.

There are no lessons to attend and no new learning required. Instead, you’ll demonstrate your leadership and management experience through reflective writing and supporting evidence from real-life situations.

Professional Recognition Awards are available at Levels 4 to 7, with each level reflecting a different degree of leadership responsibility and experience. Alongside a recognised qualification, successful candidates can also use the appropriate City & Guilds professional post-nominal letters.

Whether you’ve led teams, managed projects, overseen resources or driven organisational change, a PRA provides an opportunity to gain formal recognition for your achievements.

Many candidates use a PRA to gain formal recognition for leadership and management experience they have built over many years through work or volunteering.

Which level is right for you?

Professional Recognition Awards are available at four levels, depending on the leadership and management experience you have developed through your career or voluntary roles. During an initial advice and guidance meeting, we’ll help you identify the most appropriate level based on your responsibilities and achievements.

Level 4 | Licentiateship (LCGI)

Designed for first line managers and supervisors who are responsible for leading day to day activities, managing resources and supporting others to achieve their objectives. You are likely to have operational responsibility for a team or function and play an important role in solving problems, making decisions and maintaining effective working relationships.

The Level 4 Licentiateship (LCGI) is comparable to a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) or Higher National Certificate (HNC).

Ideal for:  Team leaders, supervisors and those taking their first steps into formal leadership or management roles.

Level 5 | Affiliateship (AfCGI)

Designed for first line managers and supervisors who are responsible for leading day to day activities, managing resources and supporting others to achieve their objectives. You are likely to have operational responsibility for a team or function and play an important role in solving problems, making decisions and maintaining effective working relationships.

The Level 5 Affiliateship (AfCGI) is comparable to a Foundation Degree or Higher National Diploma (HND).

Ideal for:  Experienced line managers who lead teams, manage resources and drive performance.

Level 6 | Graduateship (GCGI)

Designed for middle and senior managers who take responsibility for delivering organisational objectives and leading significant programmes, projects or change initiatives. You will typically manage larger teams, resources and budgets, while motivating others, solving complex challenges and contributing to the wider success of your organisation.

The Level 6 Graduateship (GCGI) is comparable to a Bachelor’s Degree.

Ideal for:  Experienced managers responsible for major projects, departments, programmes or significant areas of organisational activity.

Level 7 | Membership (MCGI)

Aimed at strategic leaders responsible for setting direction, shaping organisational culture and leading long term change. You will typically influence strategy, manage organisational performance and resources, champion innovation and professional development, and represent your organisation at a senior level.

The Level 7 Membership (MCGI) is comparable to a Master’s Degree.

Ideal for:  Senior leaders and executives who influence strategy, drive organisational change and shape long-term direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Many candidates use a Professional Recognition Award to gain formal recognition for leadership and management experience they have built over many years through work or volunteering.

    It provides an opportunity to demonstrate your achievements through a nationally recognised City & Guilds qualification, without having to attend lessons or complete new learning.

  • There are no lessons to attend and no new learning required. Instead, you’ll demonstrate the leadership and management experience you’ve already gained through work or volunteering.

    To achieve the award, you’ll write a reflective account that explains the decisions you’ve made, the actions you’ve taken and the impact of your leadership and management experience. You’ll support your writing with evidence from your workplace or voluntary role, such as documents, reports, plans or witness testimonies from colleagues.

    You won’t be expected to work through the process alone. You’ll have a dedicated mentor who will provide guidance, review draft submissions and support you throughout your journey, helping you work towards successful completion.

  • To achieve a Professional Recognition Award, you’ll need to demonstrate your leadership and management experience across six key areas that reflect professional practice at your chosen level.

    These are:

    • Commitment to Professional Standards
    • Communication and Information Management
    • Leadership
    • Professional Development
    • Working with Others
    • Managing Customer Expectations

    You’ll reflect on your experience and achievements under each of these headings, providing examples of how you’ve applied your skills in practice.

    The expectations become more demanding as you progress through the levels. For example, a Level 7 candidate would be expected to demonstrate strategic leadership and wider organisational influence compared to a Level 4 candidate. Don’t worry though, we’ll provide detailed guidance and support to help you understand what’s required and identify the level that’s right for you.

  • Your reflective writing must be supported by evidence drawn from your current or previous leadership roles. This could include reports, project plans, presentations, meeting papers, policies, performance reviews, training materials, communication plans or witness testimonies from colleagues and managers. We’ll help you identify the most appropriate evidence for your chosen level of award.

  • You won’t be expected to complete the award on your own. Your dedicated Cadet Vocational College mentor will provide guidance throughout the process, help you understand the requirements, review draft submissions and support you towards successful completion. You’ll also receive detailed guidance materials and have opportunities to discuss your progress as you work towards the award.

  • The award is designed to fit around your existing work and personal commitments. You can complete it at a pace that suits you, with up to one year available to achieve the qualification.

    Most candidates already have the experience needed when they enrol and many complete their award in well under six months. Your mentor will help you plan your submission and progress at a pace that works for you.

  • At Cadet Vocational College, we believe valuable skills, experience and leadership deserve formal recognition. We offer nationally recognised qualifications, as a registered charity, may be able to provide subsidised access for eligible learners and volunteers.

  • No. Professional Recognition Awards are based on your leadership and management experience rather than your academic background. Many candidates have developed significant skills and responsibilities throughout their careers without gaining formal qualifications at the time. The award provides an opportunity to gain recognition for that experience through a nationally recognised City & Guilds qualification.

  • You can enrol at any time during the year and no previous qualifications are required.

    Professional Recognition Awards are open to individuals with current leadership and management experience gained through either employment or volunteering. To be eligible, your experience should be recent, typically gained within the last five years.

    The level of award you apply for will depend on the nature and scope of your leadership responsibilities and experience. We will help you identify the most appropriate level during an informal discussion.

    Contact us to arrange a no obligation conversation about your experience, the most suitable award level and the next steps towards enrolment.

Further information

Ready to gain recognition for your experience?

If you’ve developed leadership and management experience through your work or volunteering, a Professional Recognition Award could help you gain the recognition it deserves.

Complete the form to request more information and arrange a no obligation conversation about the most suitable award level for you.

Find out more

“The qualification strengthened my leadership skills, benefited my career and gave me the opportunity to celebrate that achievement at Sandhurst.”

Paul Hose MCGI, Professional Recognition Award Level 7 Graduate