Coaching on Call guide to ILM coaching/mentoring skills training
As we ourselves found it confusing initially to understand the various ILM coaching and mentoring qualifications and levels, we thought we may not be alone!
So this is intended as a simple overview for you if you are having similar difficulties and to help you to get a sense of the differences between the various levels of qualification.
Overview of ILM Levels 3, 5 and 7
The Institute of Leadership and Management provides a base-line quality to assure standards of provision and assessment so that you can be confident that the quality of delivery and outcomes will be in line with National and European Qualification Frameworks.
As summarised in the table below, the three levels of qualification - 3, 5 and 7 - indicates the experience and role a manager is likely to have, in other words the lower number is aimed at more junior managers and the higher numbers are aimed at more senior managers.
Please note, however, that this can be misleading as the actual quality and content of material is very high at all levels and that a Level 3 programme provides a good core of coaching tools and understanding for participants in any role. We suggest it may be more useful to think of Levels 3, 5 & 7 as being differentiated by the amount of time invested. At Coaching on Call, we always tailor each programme to the needs and context of the client and individual participant group, which means that you can have a Level 3 programme suitable for a highly experienced and sophisticated group of senior managers.
Each level is broken into units. These units are blocks of knowledge and skills that can be independently accredited and collectively make up the qualification. It is also possible to run a short workshop or series of workshops that qualify as an ILM endorsed programme and offer credits towards a formal ILM qualification in the future.
Within each level there are two grades of qualification. The lower qualification requires one less unit which means fewer guided learning hours, reduced number of hours’ workplace practice and requires 1 less piece of written work to be assessed.
To Help You Choose The Appropriate ILM Qualification
| Level | Qualification | Who it is aimed for | ILM minimum number GLH* Lower grade/ higher grade | ILM minimum number of WPH* Lower grade/ higher grade | Marked assignment requirements |
| 3 | Award/Certificate for Professional Workplace Coaches | Team leaders and first line managers who have responsibility for the performance of their area and will be involved in the day to day operational running of it. | 24/36 Plus 1 hour induction and 2 hours tutorial | 6/18 | 1.Work-based Assignment 2.Coaching Diary Personal Development Plan and Reflective Log For Certificate 3. Personal Development Plan and Reflective Log Up to 1/2 years to complete |
| 5 | Certificate/Diploma for Professional Management Coaches And Mentors | Middle Managers who have a tier of team leaders and are accountable for the performance of all those over whom they have control, direct or indirect.
HR specialists who have management coaching/ mentoring as part major part of their role | 45/65 Plus 1 hour induction and 2 hours tutorial | 12/112 | 1. Work-based Assignment 2. Coaching/ Mentoring Diary For Diploma 3. Personal Development Plan, Learning Log and Reflective Review Up to 2/3 years to complete |
| 7 | Certificate/Diploma for Professional Executive Coaches and Leadership Mentors | Senior managers who are responsible for whole operating divisions, whole organisations or strategic responsibility to the main board or equivalent. Senior HR specialists where senior leadership coaching/ mentoring is a major part of their role | 45/65 Plus 1 hour induction and 2 hours tutorial | 12/137 | 1. Work-based Assignment 2.Reflective Review and Coaching/ Mentoring Diary
For Diploma 3.CPD Plan, Learning Log and Reflective Review Up to 2/3 years to complete |
*Guided learning hours
*Workplace practice hours