Children’s education specialist launches qualification for entrepreneurs

National languages franchise Lingotot has launched a new qualification for its franchise partners.

The Award in Business Franchising is a Level 3 Award approved by and accredited by NCFE, the Newcastle-based national awarding organisation.

Lingotot will put all new franchise partners through the award to make sure they have the skills required to run a successful Lingotot business.

The qualification will equip learners with the necessary knowledge in finance, business planning, monitoring, marketing and franchising.

Angela Sterling, Lingotot founder and CEO, says: “Many franchise partners join us from a wide range of professions.

“Over the years we’ve welcomed teachers, doctors, musicians, finance experts and more to Lingotot. What they all have in common is a passion for languages and the educational development of young children. What they often lack are business skills, specifically in franchising.”

Angela developed the qualification after failing to find suitable business courses for her franchise partners.

“There are plenty of business qualifications out there, but there was nothing for franchising,” she explains.

“It’s such a unique business model and relationship, I felt it was important that we could offer bespoke support for our franchise partners.”

Lingotot already offers the only qualification languages for primary school children and has been delivering teaching qualifications for franchisees and teachers since 2016, so it was a natural next step to add a business qualification to the company’s portfolio.

Deborah Gatland of Lingotot Portsmouth, the first franchisee to take the course, says: “There is a lot of training involved, but I look forward to this challenge.

“One reason why I chose this franchise was because of its professional approach to training and ongoing continuing professional development.”

Angela adds: “We’re looking forward to seeing franchise partners embrace this qualification and the wider impacts this will have on their commercial acumen.”