Published 1st June 2020

In following UK Government advice to return to work where possible, and to support our Approved Centres where they have resumed training and/or assessment, LCL Awards have re-opened our certification office.

By following advice on social distancing and implementing various control measures we have been able to open our certification office. This will enable us to continue our objective of protecting the interests of learners and certificated persons, and resume some of our services which were suspended (or operating at a significant reduced capacity) during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Receiving and responding to non-urgent telephone calls and messages
• Issuing and posting of hard copy certificates (including replacements).
• Receive completed examination & assessment documentation from centres
• Moderate or make decisions regarding the award or certification of qualifications without being in receipt of the documentation (where required).

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Question

I have completed my qualification and am awaiting my certificate, when will I receive it?

Answer

We are able to produce and post hard copy certificates to individuals, however this may not be within our normal published standards of service. In the first instance please contact the centre where you completed your course/qualification to ensure that they have submitted the paperwork.

Question

I need my ACS/OFTEC certificate to be able to retain my Gas Safe or OFTEC Registration; will this stop me from working?

Answer

The HSE have confirmed that for those Gas Safe Registered engineers who have made every effort to undertake their ACS reassessment will be able to remain on the register during the peak of the COVID19 crisis. OFTEC have confirmed that the same process will apply to OFTEC registration. Further information can be found on the Gas Safe Register or OFTEC websites.

Question

How can I check that a certificate you have issued is valid?

Answer

In the first instance please check the certificate withdrawn page on our website if you require further validation please email us the detail of the certificate in question.

Question

I need to undertake a qualification at one of your centres urgently to be able to apply for a job; can you advise which ones are open?

Answer

Currently a number of our centres are in the process of re-opening following closure during the COVID-19 peak. You will need to use the centre search facility on our website and contact the centre directly for further information

Question

I was part way through my training programme and qualification and my centre shut due to the virus, what happens now?

Answer

In the first instance contact your centre who should have made arrangements to answer your questions and allay your concerns. In the event that you are unable to make contact please be assured that we will take a pragmatic approach and ensure that no learner or candidate is disadvantaged by any disruption caused by the spread of the virus