IoD Scotland Autumn 2021

Role of qualifications in enabling
Scotland’s workforce and economy
Qualifications are a crucial part of an
individuals’ learning and training. They
give them a goal to work towards, prove
to others what they know, and what they
can do, and help them to distinguish
themselves from their peers.
How they are delivered can vary
according to circumstances, and
preferences, but they will always align to
the required standard. Qualifications are
there to help learners unlock the path
ahead, and there is real value in that.
The Scottish Qualifications Authority
(SQA) has a distinct place in Scotland’s
skills landscape. SQA qualifications
provide a backbone to measure skills and
people development from school,
through college and work.
SQA ensures that its qualifications
meet the needs not only of employers,
higher and further education, and the
economy, but of those undertaking them,
helping them to forge resilience,
entrepreneurship, and flexibility.
SQA offers a comprehensive portfolio
of qualifications that respond to regional
and national skills needs, including Higher
Nationals, Scottish Vocational
Qualifications, Licence to Practice and
qualifications that form over 80% of
Scotland’s apprenticeships. SQA also
offers Customised Awards and Credit
Rating services, accrediting bespoke
qualifications for organisations looking to
invest in their workforce or demonstrate
quality and competence.
SQA qualifications support the Scottish
Government’s drive to close the
attainment gap and are fundamental to
economic strategy, particularly in relation
to youth employment.
The education and training system,
including Higher Education Institutions,
colleges, and employers, agree that
qualifications must offer a standard and
consistent way of demonstrating that
someone has a level of competence in a
particular subject or skill set. To
successfully achieve a qualification, there
must be evidence available of a learner’s
demonstrated attainment in the skills and
knowledge at the required national standard.
Having an evidence-based system gives
employers, universities, and colleges the
reassurance they need when making
decisions about who can be recruited,
enter their courses, and join their training
programmes, based on the knowledge,
and skills, and understanding individuals
have been able to demonstrate to that
point.
Consistent standards over time also
provide flexibility for individuals to access
immediate opportunities today, and
different opportunities later in their career.
SQA works with employers and training
providers across the country, and
together enable the delivery of the right
skills for Scotland, for the benefit of
individuals and employers. SQA is
grateful for these relationships and the
ongoing valuable input they bring to the
development and delivery of its
qualifications and assessments.
This has never been more important
than over the last 18 months. SQA has
worked collaboratively with a wide range
of training providers, colleges, and
employers to develop and deliver
assessment approaches that could be
used under Covid-19 restrictions. This has
ensured that learners are assessed in a
way that is valid, reliable, practical,
equitable, fair and allows them to gain the
knowledge and skills they need to take
their next steps.
Despite the many challenges, there
have been opportunities and innovations
as everyone has adapted to the changing
circumstances in order to continue
providing services to customers and
learners.
A great example of SQA’s collaborative
working is the Higher National and
Vocational Qualifications 2021 Group
established at the start of this year. With
representation from all parts of further
education and vocational training, the
group has developed general and
subject-specific advice and guidance to
“SQA ensures that its qualifications
meet the needs not only of employers,
higher and further education, and the
economy, but of those undertaking
them, helping them to forge resilience,
entrepreneurship, and flexibility...”
support assessment for vocational
qualifications. SQA has also worked with
regulatory bodies to confirm the
assessment arrangements required for
regulated qualifications, including
Scottish Vocational Qualifications and
Licence to Practice qualifications. With
Skills Development Scotland, SQA has
ensured the continued delivery of
Scotland’s apprenticeships.
Following the Scottish Government
announcement in June that SQA is to be
replaced, SQA remains committed to
working with its customers for the
foreseeable future to ensure that its
products and services meet their needs
and ensuring that they receive excellent
customer service.
SQA is committed to making a positive
contribution to Professor Ken Muir’s
review of Scotland’s education bodies
and the next steps that flow from his work.
This will help secure a smooth transition
which will support and safeguard the
interests of learners and provide
continuity of service to its customers.
In the interim period, SQA will continue
to offer high-quality, internationally
recognised qualifications and certificates,
which learners can have pride in, and
which employers can have confidence in.
More than ever, qualifications are an
essential part of individuals’ successful
journey from education and training into
further study and employment, as well as
success in life, benefitting the whole of
Scottish society.
More at www.sqa.org.uk
Autumn 2021
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