The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Professional standards for delivering SFIA training

This professional standard define the expectations for organisations and individuals delivering SFIA training. They ensure that all SFIA training maintains high levels of quality and accurately represents the SFIA Framework and the operation of the SFIA Foundation Internal training by SFIA Corporate users should comply with this standard as a reference for good practice.

Purpose and Value

The SFIA Foundation establishes comprehensive professional standards for organizations delivering SFIA training to ensure consistency, quality, and value for learners worldwide. These standards apply to all SFIA Partners offering SFIA training courses.

The SFIA Foundation will continue to improve the quality of the SFIA training professional standards through ongoing refinement.

Definition of SFIA Training

For the purposes of this standard, SFIA Training means any learning activity that materially explains, interprets, or enables the application of the SFIA Framework, including its levels of responsibility, skills, attributes, or use in role design, assessment, or workforce development, regardless of delivery format or commercial model.

Governance

  • SFIA training should be delivered by a SFIA Accredited Consultant or SFIA Accredited Practitioner.
  • SFIA training requires:
    • a sound understanding of the SFIA framework, verified by, as a minimum, passing the SFIA Foundation Level Test
    • familiarity with the skills and generic attributes in the SFIA Framework
    • familiarity with the use of SFIA to deliver enhanced capability within organisations
  • Apply the same professional standards to automated or semi-automated approaches (including generative AI and LLMs)

Integrity and Accuracy

The SFIA Framework and operation of The SFIA Foundation must be presented accurately.

The only authoritative source of SFIA material and guidance is the SFIA Foundation website.

Value added through professional delivery

While a full understanding of SFIA can be gained from SFIA Foundation material, Approved SFIA Training Partners may add value through instructor-led training where delegates can ask questions, share their thoughts and discuss issues with an experienced SFIA Accredited Consultant who can explain essential concepts, through their own experiences.

This is recognised as offering a significant value-add for those wishing to understand the SFIA Framework and its use in developing skills and competency of a professional workforce.

Licensed SFIA Partners may provide SFIA Training after obtaining formal approval from the SFIA Foundation and satisfying all requirements outlined in this professional standard and the Approved SFIA Training Partner Terms.

Relationship to licensing and approval

Compliance with this professional standard is a condition of being an Approved SFIA Training Partner.

This Professional Standard is subject to change. It may be refined to support continuous improvement in the quality of SFIA training. SFIA Training Partners should regularly consult this Professional Standard and update their training services accordingly, as a minimum this should be at their licence renewal.

Learning objectives and approved syllabi

SFIA training must align with SFIA Foundation-defined learning objectives and approved syllabi for each type of SFIA training.

Training providers must ensure that the learning activities remain within the scope of approved training objectives and do not introduce unapproved outcomes or proprietary interpretations as authoritative SFIA guidance.

Training delivery formats

SFIA training may be delivered in instructor-led, virtual, blended or self-paced formats.

Regardless of the delivery format, training must:

  • represent SFIA accurately and in context
  • Provide appropriate opportunities for learner reflection and application
  • be suitable for the number of learners and delivery environment

Training providers must ensure appropriate learning environments, tools and technology are used to support effective delivery.

    Instructor competence and accountability

    SFIA Training must be delivered, or overseen by, current licensed SFIA Accredited Consultants. Instructors must:

    • allow sufficient time and resources for preparation and delivery
    • maintain current knowledge of SFIA and its application
    • remain familiar with changes to the SFIA Framework, syllabi and SFIA Foundation guidance.

    Assessment, evidence and credentials

    Approved SFIA Training may result in a SFIA Foundation issued digital badge where the candidate successfully completes the training.

    No other credential, including attendance certificates, may be issued in place of, or in addition to, SFIA Foundation credentials.

    Training providers must clearly inform their learners that the training they provide is to enable understanding and the development of the capability to apply SFIA. The training does not constitute accreditation by The SFIA Foundation, nor does it assign a SFIA Level to an individual.

    Quality assurance and continuous improvement

    Training providers should:

    • collect learner feedback after each course
    • take action to resolve unsatisfactory performance
    • clearly display a complaints prodedure

    Currency and version management

    SFIA training must remain current and aligned with the active version of the SFIA Framework. Training Partners must review and update materials, as required, to reflect new SFIA releases.

    What The SFIA Foundation does not prescribe

    The SFIA Foundation does not prescribe:

    • teaching methods or instructional approaches
    • slide formats. templates or course structure
    • sector-specific examples or case studies
    • Trading Providers retain flexibility in how learning is delivered, provided these professional standards are met.