Thanks to SQA for being one of 2019’s CDN College Award Gold sponsors. In this blog, SQA National Manager Caroline Hunter explains why collaboration is key when developing qualifications…
SQA helps people to realise their potential and to achieve their ambitions by providing a wide range of high quality, internationally recognised qualifications and associated services.
Our qualifications form the majority of provision for education and training in Scotland’s colleges. We work in partnership with colleges across Scotland and we are proud to support the college sector in meeting the needs of learners, local communities and the wider economy.
One of the key ways we work with colleges is through Qualification Design Team (QDTs). Once it has been established that there is a need for the development or revision of a qualification, then a QDT is established.
Every QDT is convened by a representative from the lead college, and membership includes an experienced college tutor or course leader, along with an SQA officer and industry representatives. Their role is to advise and assist with the design and development of the qualification, to ensure that it meets the needs of both learners and employers.
Recent QDTs have supervised the development of a new Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Cyber Security, and an HND in Counselling. Scotland’s colleges are also represented on SQA National Qualification Support Teams (NQSTs).
The purpose of NQSTs is to provide feedback to SQA on assessment for National Qualifications. Members represent the views of their subject area through an online forum and an annual meeting.
During recent changes to assessment, we worked closely with our NQSTs to review course assessments for each subject and carefully consider how the assessments should be strengthened.
We are delighted to recognise the achievements of colleges, their staff and learners, through our support of the CDN College Awards.
SQA’s Regional Managers are readily available to support all of Scotland’s colleges. Visit our website for more information on QDTs and NQSTs.
