Build your programmes on the Business Support Standards
Deliver SFEDI Awards qualifications, use the Standards freely in your training, and map your programmes to them so your learners can gain Specialist Certification.
Two ways to work with SFEDI
- Visit SFEDI Awards (opens in a new tab)
Deliver SFEDI Awards qualifications
Approved centres deliver SFEDI Awards qualifications, including the Level 5 Certificate in Professional Business and Enterprise Support and the Level 7 Certificate and Level 7 Diploma in Professional Business and Enterprise Support Services. SFEDI Awards approves and supports centres.
- About Recognised Programmes
Get your programme recognised
Coming soonMap your workshops, training or CPD to a Specialist Standard and apply to SFEDI for recognition. Learners who complete a Recognised Programme will gain Specialist Certification.
How recognition will work
Recognised Programmes are mapped to the Standards requirement by requirement, so learners and employers can see exactly what a programme covers.
- 1
Map your programme
Identify which Specialist Standard your programme relates to and which requirement codes it covers.
- 2
Show how learning is checked
Performance requirements (for example S3.4) are evidenced through real client work, or realistic practice where SFEDI agrees. Knowledge requirements (for example S3.K2) can be evidenced through assignments, questions, case studies or professional discussion.
- 3
Apply to SFEDI
Send us your mapping and an outline of your programme for review.
- 4
Your learners gain Specialist Certification
SFEDI certificates the learners who complete your Recognised Programme.
Full details of the application process will be published when Recognised Programmes open.
Standards for every stage of a career in business support
Introduction to Business Support (E1 to E5)
For taster, introductory and entry-level programmes for people thinking of working in business support or new to it.
Business Information (I1 to I4)
For training in information, enquiry and front-line roles, such as helplines and first-point-of-contact navigators.
Core Standards (C1 to C8)
For programmes that develop the main functions of a business support professional.
Specialist Standards (S1 to S24)
For specialist training and CPD, and the route to Recognised Programmes.
Using the Standards in your materials
The Business Support Standards are free and open under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives licence (CC BY-ND 4.0).
You can
- use the Standards to design and review your training
- refer to Standards and requirement codes in your course and programme materials
- quote the Standards word for word, with credit to SFEDI
- share the Standards for any purpose, including commercially
You can't
- publish altered versions of the Standards
- present your own wording as the SFEDI Business Support Standards
- suggest that SFEDI endorses or recognises your programme unless it is a Recognised Programme
How to credit the Standards
SFEDI Business Support Standards, version 1.0 (October 2026), © Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative Limited, licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
Questions from providers and centres
Yes. The Standards are published and free to use, so you can map your programmes to them now. Register your interest and we'll contact you when applications for recognition open.
[PLACEHOLDER: depends on the recognition rules, still to be decided.]
[PLACEHOLDER: depends on the recognition rules and charging model, still to be decided.]
You can refer to the SFEDI Business Support Standards by name and credit them as shown above. SFEDI is a registered trade mark, and the Creative Commons licence doesn't cover it. [PLACEHOLDER: when Recognised Programmes and approved centres may use the SFEDI name or logo.]
SFEDI Awards approves centres. Visit the SFEDI Awards site (opens in a new tab) to find out how to apply.
Get ready for recognition
Tell us about your programme and which Specialist Standard it relates to, and we'll be in touch when Recognised Programmes open.