The Recruitment & Employment Confederation’s (REC) new qualifications launched today are “a major step forward”, according to Baroness Prosser.

Speaking at the launch of the Certificate in Recruitment Practice and the Diploma in Recruitment Practice in London today, the Labour Peer, who is chair of the REC’s Youth Employment Taskforce, welcomed the new qualifications.

For more from Baroness Prosser, click on the video below.

Judith Armatage, the REC’s director of professional development, said the new qualifications were “a clean sheet and really what the industry wants”.

Kevin Green, chief executive of the REC, said the qualifications were designed “to be fit for purpose not only now but for the next decade”.

The new qualifications were designed after a year-long review of the trade body’s existing qualifications.

The new Certificate is designed for new and potential recruits to the industry. The first course begins at the end of September.

It is made up of six modules:

1. Build and sustain relationships

2. Sell recruitment services

3. Manage the recruitment process

4. Essential legislation and operational processes

5. Market the recruitment business

6. Manage yourself for success

The new Diploma is for experienced recruiters, team leaders and managers. The first Diploma course starts in November.

The core units are:

• Build and develop networks and relationships

• Advanced recruitment sales

• Manage the recruitment process

• Law and ethics in recruitment

Students also have a choice of two optional units from a choice of five: business development and marketing; manage people; manage operational processes; manage finances; and recruitment business planning.