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IAF AEAR · First Edition · Version 1.0

Automotive Education Accreditation & Recognition

A unified assurance framework for institutions, qualification programmes and assessed learning across the automotive education ecosystem.

Open Programme Standard Applicant Guide
3Assurance routes
6Provider categories
20Specialty schedules
18Assurance sections

Select the correct scope

Three routes, three distinct decisions

IAF AEAR separates institutional capacity from programme-level educational outcomes and short-form assessed learning. Recognition applies only to the exact scope recorded in the decision.

IA

Institutional Accreditation

Reviews governance, resources, learner protection and the operating capability of a named institution or defined unit.

Readiness: at least one completed academic operating year. IA does not automatically accredit individual programmes.
PA

Programme Accreditation

Assesses an exact programme, profile, awarding entity, curriculum version, site, delivery mode and language.

Readiness: at least one completed graduating cohort and evidence that results have informed improvement.
LR

Learning Offering Recognition

Reviews assessed short courses, continuing professional development and micro-credentials against a defined outcome claim.

Readiness: at least one completed assessed delivery cycle. Attendance alone is not an assessed learning outcome.

Scope architecture

What the framework records

A decision is built from the legal provider, delivery boundary and the educational claim—not from a broad institutional label.

DimensionFramework referenceWhy it matters
Institution typeSix provider categories covering degree, higher, technical, secondary, vocational and continuing/industry education settings.Defines the operating context without treating unlike providers as equivalent.
Programme profileP1–P6 profiles based on educational complexity and expected independence.Sets the appropriate level of judgement and assessment demand; it is not an automatic national qualification equivalence.
Automotive specialtyD01–D20, from vehicle architecture and propulsion to software, manufacturing, service, charging, sustainability and mobility operations.Ensures the assessment team, facilities and evidence match the technical field.
Common outcomesO01–O10: technical foundations, evidence, safe practice, design, digital responsibility, integrity, teamwork, sustainability, inclusion and continued learning.Connects curriculum intent to assessment evidence and demonstrated learner competence.

Evidence-led review

From readiness to an independent decision

The process tests what is authorised, implemented and effective. Planned practice should be clearly distinguished from evidence of actual delivery and outcomes.

01 · DEFINE

Choose route and scope

Fix the legal entity, award authority, sites, modes, languages, profile and specialties.

02 · EVALUATE

Complete a candid self-review

Map every applicable requirement to controlled evidence, gaps and responsible owners.

03 · APPLY

Submit the correct dossier

Use the route-specific form, self-evaluation report and indexed supporting records.

04 · ASSESS

Independent evidence testing

Document review, sampling, interviews and visits test teaching, capacity and individual competence.

05 · RESPOND

Address findings

Factual comments and corrective evidence are controlled without compensating one unmet requirement with another.

06 · DECIDE

Record and monitor scope

An independent panel determines status, exact public wording and any monitoring conditions.

Assurance model

Evidence must follow the learner journey

Core educational assurance areas

  • Authority, identity and programme boundaries
  • Governance, leadership and financial continuity
  • Learner information, admission and progression
  • Safeguarding, inclusion and wellbeing
  • Educational purpose and outcome architecture
  • Teaching, faculty and technical currency
  • Facilities, workshops and physical safety
  • Assessment validity and individual competence
  • Work-based learning and partnerships
  • Digital, blended and AI-enabled education
  • Research, design and integrative work
  • Outcomes, equity and continuous improvement

Official document set

Read, prepare and record

Use the Programme Standard as the authoritative framework, then select the guide, application form and controlled records appropriate to your route. Each file opens as a PDF in a new tab.

Programme Standard & Internal Directives

The complete requirements, route rules, profiles, outcomes, specialties, decision controls and internal directives.

69 pagesOpen PDF

Applicant & Self-Evaluation Guide

A practical route-selection, evidence-mapping and readiness guide with worked preparation examples.

18 pagesOpen PDF

Institutional Application Form

For IA scope, legal identity, governance, resources, safe capacity, learner protection and institutional evidence.

11 pagesOpen PDF

Programme & Recognition Application

A separate PA or LR application for each exact programme or offering, including outcomes and delivery scope.

12 pagesOpen PDF

Self-Evaluation Report Template

Structures the critical account of implementation, effectiveness, outcomes, gaps and supporting evidence.

22 pagesOpen PDF

Assessment Checklist

The assessor-facing control map for applicability, evidence, findings and requirement-by-requirement decisions.

73 pagesOpen PDF

Assessment & Operations Manual

Governance, assessor roles, case states, panel independence and operational procedures for scheme delivery.

27 pagesOpen PDF

Governance & Records Toolkit

Twenty controlled record templates for conflicts, plans, sampling, findings, decisions, monitoring and data control.

22 pagesOpen PDF

Decision controls

Indicative status periods in the prepared framework

Status or actionPrepared framework controlKey condition
Full IA / PAFour-year cycleAll applicable requirements met, subject to monitoring.
Full LRTwo-year cycleExact assessed offering and public claim remain controlled.
Conditional IA / PAUp to 12 monthsOnly one to three isolated Minor findings; closure evidence due within 90 calendar days.
Developmental candidacyInitial period up to 36 monthsCandidacy is not accreditation and requires explicit public wording.
Factual response / appeal15 / 30 calendar daysFactual comments precede decision; an accreditation appeal follows the controlled appeal process.

These periods describe the prepared Version 1.0 framework and become operational only through an approved IAF adoption and implementation notice.

Build a review-ready evidence pack

Start with the Applicant Guide, confirm the correct route and exact scope, then use the corresponding application and self-evaluation templates. Contact IAF before presenting any submission as a live accreditation application.

Readiness Guide Contact IAF

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