What is an Accredited Training Center (ATC™)?
The Accredited Training Center (ATC™) accreditation, issued by the Business Development Association (BDA), honors training centers and institutes committed to delivering high-quality education in business development. As an accredited center, your organization will be officially licensed by BDA as a trusted provider, ensuring alignment with the BDA BoCK™ (Business Development Body of Competency & Knowledge) framework. This globally recognized accreditation enhances your credibility, increases your market visibility, and grants access to the BDA network and its resources, positioning your center as a leader in professional development.
Benefits of ATC™ Accreditation
1) Global Recognition
- Gain international credibility as a BDA-accredited training center, recognized globally for its commitment to the BDA BoCK™ standards. This recognition strengthens trust among trainees and strategic partners.
2) Listed on the BDA Website
- Your center will be listed on BDA’s Partnerships page with a dedicated profile showcasing your services, training programs, and achievements.
3) Access to BDA Resources
- Enjoy exclusive access to BDA’s library of advanced research, expert insights, best practices, and specialized webinars.
4) Increased Market Visibility
- Boost your exposure through BDA’s marketing channels, including promotional support and referral opportunities within the global BDA network.
5) Official Accreditation Certificate
- Receive an official ATC™ Accreditation Certificate from BDA, confirming your status as a trusted provider of professional business development training.
6) BDA Digital Badge
- Display the official BDA ATC™ badge on your certificates, website, and marketing materials to highlight your quality and professionalism.
7) Continuing Development
- Benefit from BDA’s evaluations and recommendations to continually improve your training programs, ensuring your center stays at the forefront of the industry.
ATC accreditation is designed for training centers and institutes delivering education in business development. Eligible applicants include:
- Corporate training providers offering professional development programs.
- Independent training institutes focused on business development.
- Professional development centers offering courses in areas like strategic leadership, marketing, and sales.
To qualify, your center must demonstrate a strong record of training excellence and alignment with BDA BoCK™ standards, with the capacity to deliver high-quality, impactful training.
ATC Accreditation Evaluation Process
1) Application Submission
The organization submits the accreditation request through the BDA website, attaching required documents such as business license, training program descriptions, trainer CVs, and participant feedback.
2) Initial Review
BDA’s team reviews the documents to ensure basic requirements are met (e.g., legal licensing, active business development offerings). A two-week period is granted to complete any missing documents.
3) Comprehensive Evaluation Using BDAAT
The BDAAT (Business Development Accreditation Assessment Tool) is applied to assess the organization across five criteria: . .
Alignment with BDA BoCK™ (30%)
Organizational Capacity (25%)
Impact & Outcomes (20%)
Ethics & Governance (15%)
Continuous Development (10%)
Minimum passing score: 75/100.
4) Optional Site Visit
If needed, BDA may conduct a site visit to verify resources (e.g., training rooms, tech infrastructure).
5) Evaluation Report (BDAAT Report)
A detailed report is prepared including scores, strengths, improvement points, and recommendations. One week is granted for any clarifications.
6) Accreditation Decision
Organizations scoring 75% or above are granted the certificate and badge. Those below 75% are given three months to improve and be re-evaluated.
7) Annual Follow-Up
A yearly performance report is submitted to maintain accreditation, along with an annual renewal fee (€750).
Evaluation Model – BDAAT
The BDAAT is a comprehensive digital tool designed to evaluate training centers seeking ATC™ accreditation. It ensures a fair, structured, and transparent evaluation process based on five key areas:
1) Alignment with BDA BoCK™ (30%)
- Assesses how well training programs cover BDA BoCK® competencies, such as strategic leadership, negotiation, and relationship management.
2) Organizational Capacity (25%)
- Evaluates human resources (e.g., trainer experience), infrastructure quality (e.g., training rooms), and internal policies (e.g., quality assurance).
3) Impact & Outcomes (20%)
- Measures training impact through metrics like trainee satisfaction (e.g., 90% satisfaction), annual participant numbers, and improvement in professional performance.
4) Ethics & Governance (15%)
- Assesses transparency in pricing and ethical practices, such as avoiding conflicts of interest and maintaining professional integrity.
5) Continuing Development (10%)
- Assesses commitment to ongoing improvement, such as periodic trainer development and program updates.
Evaluation Table
Criteria | Criteria | Indicators | Score % |
|---|---|---|---|
Alignment with BDA BoCK™ | 30% | Coverage of BDA BoCK™ competencies (e.g., strategic leadership) | –
|
Organizational Capacity | 25% | Trainer expertise, infrastructure quality, internal policies | –
|
Impact & Outcomes | 20% | Trainee satisfaction, participant volume, performance improvement | –
|
Ethics & Governance | 15% | Transparency, ethical conduct, integrity | – |
Continuous Improvement | 10% | Trainer development, program updates, performance optimization | – |
Total Score | 100% | Minimum required: 75/100 | – |
Sample Evaluation Outcome
A training center covers 80% of BDA BoCK™ competencies (24/30), has trainers with 7 years of experience and moderate infrastructure (20/25), achieves 90% trainee satisfaction (18/20), demonstrates high transparency (14/15), and implements regular trainer development (9/10).
Total Score: 85/100 – Accreditation Granted.
ATC Accreditation Fees
Accreditation fees for the Accredited Training Center (ATC™) are structured to cover all stages of evaluation, certificate issuance, and ongoing support for accredited entities. Fees also include access to the official badge for use in marketing materials and training certificates.
Fee Type | Amount (EUR) |
|---|---|
Initial Accreditation Fee | €3,000
|
Annual Renewal Fee | €1,000 |
- Document Review & Evaluation
- Use of the BDAAT Assessment Tool
- Official Accreditation Certificate
- BDA Accreditation Badge
- Listing in the BDA Accredited Providers Directory
Note
Annual renewal fees are required to maintain active accreditation status, along with submission of a performance report confirming continued alignment with the BDA BoCK™ framework.
What is ATC Accreditation?
The ATC™ accreditation recognizes training centers that comply with BDA BoCK™ standards, ensuring high-quality education in business development.
Who is eligible to apply?
Training centers and institutes that offer business development education, including corporate training providers and independent institutes.
How long does the evaluation process take?
The process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the completeness of submitted documents.
What is the cost of accreditation?
The initial accreditation fee is €2,500, with an annual renewal fee of €750.
What happens when accreditation expires?
Annual renewal is required to maintain accredited status. Otherwise, all references to BDA accreditation must be removed.
Can I use the BDA badge on all my programs?
No, the badge is only used for programs that meet BDA BoCK™ standards and have been evaluated as part of the accreditation process.
Other Accreditations
Accredited Academic Institution - AAI™
Official accreditation by BDA for leading academic institutions in business development
Accredited Consulting Firm - ACF™
Official accreditation by BDA for the leading consulting firms in business development
Accredited Government Entity - AGE™
Official accreditation by BDA for government entities driving economic development
Accredited Non-Profit Organization - ANPO™
Official accreditation by BDA for nonprofit organizations empowering communities and businesses