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THE SCQF AND SCOTLAND’S COLLEGES
Much work has been carried out to support the implementation of the use of SCQF in Scotland's Colleges.
SCQF College Implementation
The Association of Scotland's Colleges (ASC) and the Scottish Further Education Unit (SFEU) have been working together to implement the use of SCQF in Scotland’s Colleges. Work undertaken includes the creation of SCQF marketing material and the provision of free SCQF college workshops. SCQF Awareness Raising has also taken place through various workshops, seminars and meetings.
SCQF Workshops
The Scottish Further Education Unit (SFEU) is currently funded to offer FREE in-house awareness raising presentations to college staff on the SCQF. These sessions have been designed in line with the results of recent training needs analysis carried out amongst college staff and can be tailored to suit the particular needs of staff groups. To arrange for SFEU to deliver a FREE SCQF workshop in your college or to find out how SCQF is currently being used, contact:
Christine Mathers christine.mathers@sfeu.ac.uk
Dr Eric Massie eric.massie@sfeu.ac.uk
SCQF PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL
A range of promotional material has been created for staff in Scotland’s Colleges by The Association of Scottish Colleges (ASC) and the Scottish Further Education Unit (SFEU). Two new booklets have been distributed to colleges. ‘Using SCQF in college processes’ provides staff with information on how reference to SCQF can be made as part of the self-evaluation process. 'Thinking about College' is also available for students to provide them with an introduction to SCQF and explain how its use can support the guidance process.
An A5 size Level Descriptor booklet was prepared by the SCQF Post Holder earlier in the year and has proven to be a very useful tool as it provides easy access to the key information required by practitioners supporting them in the use SCQF in quality assurance, quality improvement, credit rating and RPL activities. Funding has been secured to have copies of the booklet professionally printed for distribution to colleges. If you would like to receive a hardcopy of this bookley, please contact Christine Mathers, SFEU - christine.mathers@sfeu.ac.uk
Further SCQF promotional materials for the college sector can be accessed from the downloads page.
SCOTLAND ’S COLLEGES
The Framework can be of significant value to all who have an interest in learning in Scotland - learners, providers and employers. It is vital that Scotland's Colleges continue to work in partnership with Schools, other Colleges, Universities, Training Providers, Communities, Employers and Business Clients in implementing the SCQF. It is important that Scotland's Colleges also keep up to date with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and the SCQF. Please visit www.sqa.org.uk for updates.
Most colleges have entered information on the SCQF within their prospectus and website and many colleges have started to build capacity in specialist staff teams in order to respond to partnership opportunities when they arise as well as raise awareness and highlight examples of best practice for dissemination across sectors.
Further to the recent consultation for extending the facility to credit rate to Scotland’s colleges, many have started to establish systems for credit rating their own provision as well as developing processes for the Recognition of Prior Learning.
PARTNER IMPLEMENTATION
Scottish Executive
The Scottish Executive’s Lifelong Learning Strategy published in 1993 focuses on five people centered goals to ensure inclusive opportunities in all aspects of education and training.
Skills for Work - introducing vocational routes into S3/S4 school based curriculum.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
SQA have been undertaking a portfolio review to create a system of qualifications which is fit for purpose, simple to understand, straightforward and cost effective for SQA centers to operate.
Qualification profiles will be produced for 12 occupational areas. These will map the needs of each sector, identify what exists in SQA’s portfolio, identify gaps, agree which qualifications are required to ensure progression routes – horizontal and vertical, within and across occupational areas.
SQA have developed new qualifications including, National Certificates (SCQF Levels 2 to 6), National Progression Awards (SCQF Levels 2 to 6) and Professional Development Awards (SCQF Levels 6 to 12).
SQA are working with UK-wide awarding bodies, Sector Skills Councils/Bodies to credit rate SVQs.
Information on the SCQF is now included in the Scottish Qualification Certificates.
Scottish Qualifications Certificate 2007, FAQs
Community Learning and Development
Work strands within the Community Learning and Development sector include CLD Action Plans; the development and implementation of an on-line tool for the Recognition of Prior Learning and establishing a framework of qualifications for CLD professionals.
An update on the current developments within the CLD sector is available.
Sector Skills Councils
UK wide organisations which are employer led and tasked with agreeing sector priorities with employers and partners. A current review of National Occupational Standards and their use in qualifications are underway. The SSC’s have been working to map qualifications to sector skill requirements and advising employers to help support them in negotiating appropriate provision.
Careers Scotland
Currently working closely with SCQF Partners to help embed and encourage the use of the SCQF in guidance activities with learners.
Higher Education Institutions
Implementation of the SCQF within this sector is as follows:
- HE qualifications have been credit rated
- SCQF entry criteria included in most prospectuses and websites
- Articulation agreements have been put in place with some colleges for credit transfer. Current agreements regarding articulation from Access, HNC/HND into degree are reflected on the Mapping, Tracking and Bridging website. Colleges and higher education institutions provide and update this information
- Piloting RPL and developing further options for CPD.
Further information on the work relating to the SCQF and the HEIs is available
Scottish Social Services Council
Work strands that have been undertaken for the Social Services sector include:
- National Strategy for Development of the Social Services Workforce has been published and is being implemented;
- SSSC represents the Sector Skills Council – Skills for Care and Development – in Scotland;
- The SCQF Project Officer for the Social Services sector currently raises awareness, contributes to the mapping of qualifications against the SCQF for this sector and identifying gaps for progression.
- Seeking partnership with colleges and universities – credit transfer and Continuous Professional Development;
- Engaged in work based learning and RPL pilots with employers.
Further information on the SCQF and the Social Services sector is available
Social Services Working with Colleges
The third round of meetings with three of the regional working groups has been held. These included inputs provided by SIESWE, Learning Networks and colleges. Demonstration of the on-line resource being developed as part of the SFEU agreement with Skills for Business and this is hosted on the LTS website Practitioners Plus area. The Care section will provide up to date links on workforce development, resources, illuminating practice, qualifications and training. An SCQF link is included in the qualifications section. The site also includes a discussion section where staff from across Scotland can search for others who share particular areas of interest. This will be used to support future initiatives in use of SCQF such as credit rating.
A recent Seminar was held on 'Creating a Learning Culture' organised by SS Learning Network East, exploring a variety of ways in which workers might be supported to gain recognition of their skills and knowledge. Workshops covered RPL and SFEU Care Subject Network, provided a focus on SCQF.
NHS EDUCATION FOR SCOTLAND (NES)
Agenda for Change – review of terms and conditions and introduction of Knowledge and Skills Framework to map post outlines and identify training needs as part of ongoing Personal Development Planning and Review process.
- SCQF Project Officer for NES raising awareness across Health Boards
- Seeking collaboration with colleges and universities
- Recognition of Prior Learning
The SCQF Post Holder for Scottish Colleges has been involved in the joint delivery of a capacity building workshop for NHS staff considering requirements for them to have selected provision credit-rated
Further information on developments on the SCQF and Health sector is available |
