The ESG ASCEND™ Framework
A Quality Assurance and Governance Framework for CPD Accreditation
The ESG ASCEND™ Framework is IASE Africa’s proprietary evaluation model used to ensure credibility, consistency, and trust across CPD Provider Recognition and CPD Course & Training Approval.
Rather than assessing subject-matter expertise, the framework evaluates how learning is governed, delivered, assessed, and assured, providing a structured and defensible basis for CPD accreditation across professional disciplines.
What Is the ESG ASCEND™ Framework?
The ESG ASCEND™ Framework is a nine-pillar quality assurance framework designed to evaluate professional learning from a governance, delivery, and outcomes perspective.
It ensures that CPD accreditation decisions are:
Consistent
Transparent
Evidence-based
Scalable across sectors and jurisdictions
The framework is applied across two levels of CPD accreditation:
Why the ESG ASCEND™ Framework Matters
Traditional CPD accreditation often relies on:
Time-based metrics alone
Unclear approval standards
Subjective or inconsistent review
The ESG ASCEND™ Framework addresses these weaknesses by introducing:
A structured governance lens
Clear evaluation dimensions
Separation between quality assurance and subject expertise
This ensures CPD approval is credible without requiring the accrediting body to act as a technical regulator.
How the ESG ASCEND™ Framework Is Applied
Application at CPD Provider Level
At CPD Provider Recognition level, the framework evaluates the organisation’s capacity to deliver credible professional learning.
Key focus areas include:
Governance and ethical standards
Internal quality assurance systems
Trainer oversight and accountability
Accessibility and inclusivity
Continuous improvement processes
At this level, the framework does not assess course content.
Application at CPD Course & Training Level
At CPD Course / Training Approval level, the framework is used to evaluate how a course is designed, delivered, and assessed, not what professional opinion it advances.
The focus is on:
Learning structure and outcomes
Assessment integrity
Participant engagement
Delivery effectiveness
Transparency of CPD claims
The Nine Pillars of the ESG ASCEND™ Framework Each CPD provider and course is evaluated against the following pillars:
Each letter in “ASCEND” represents a core pillar of our evaluation model. Our assessment team carefully map the structure, content, and delivery of your activity against our exclusive E.S.G A.S.C.E.N.D. Framework to ensure your organisation and materials meet and exceed the required standards.
Engagement
Learner-centred design, interaction, and participation mechanisms.
Sustainability
Contribution to long-term professional competence and responsible practice.
Governance
Ethical conduct, accountability, and decision-making structures.
Accessibility
Inclusive design, reasonable accommodations, and delivery flexibility.
Scientific Rigor
Evidence-informed design and credible instructional foundations.
Content Quality
Accuracy, clarity, and alignment with stated learning objectives.
Evaluation
Appropriate assessment methods and outcome measurement.
Networking Opportunities
Where applicable, facilitation of professional interaction and exchange.
Diversity & Inclusion
Representation, equity, and sensitivity to varied professional contexts.
What the ESG ASCEND™ Framework Does — and Does Not Do
What It Does
Provides a defensible basis for CPD accreditation
Ensures consistency across providers and courses
Protects learners and employers from misleading CPD claims
Supports scalable CPD governance across sectors
What It Does Not Do
Judge technical correctness of specialised subject matter
Replace statutory or professional regulators
Act as a curriculum-setting authority
Alignment With IASE Global and CPD Policy
The ESG ASCEND™ Framework:
Originates from IASE’s ESG competence philosophy
Has been adapted by IASE Africa as a cross-sector CPD governance model
Is embedded within the IASE Africa CPD Accreditation Policy
This ensures alignment with IASE Global principles while enabling broader CPD accreditation without policy conflict.
Why the ESG ASCEND™ Framework Builds Trust
For providers, the framework offers:
Clear expectations
Fair and transparent evaluation
Predictable accreditation outcomes
For learners and employers, it ensures:
Credible CPD claims
Consistent quality signals
Reduced risk of misrepresentation
For IASE Africa, it creates:
Policy defensibility
Scalable governance
Reputational protection
E.S.G. A.S.C.E.N.D in Action
Every endorsed program listed in the IASE directory has been assessed using the E.S.G. A.S.C.E.N.D Framework. This ensures members, employers, and regulators can trust the relevance, quality, and professionalism of each offering.
Want your ESG training company and training activities to be benchmarked against Africa’s leading ESG quality standard?
Learn More or Apply
Choose the appropriate next step: