SQA launches first regional strategy

SQA launches first regional strategy

• Strategy developed to address specific challenges in Highlands and Islands
• Memo of Understanding signed between SQA and UHI

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has today (15 August 2006) launched a new strategy for action in the Highlands and Islands region.

SQA is responsible for developing, accrediting, assessing and certificating all Scottish qualifications apart from university degrees and some professional qualifications, and this is the organisation's first specific regional strategy. It has been developed in conjunction with local partners and stakeholders as a follow-up to last year's fact-finding visit to the area by the SQA Board of Management. It draws on the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Network's existing economic development strategy for the region – 'A smart, successful Highlands and Islands'.

It recognises that the different parts of Scotland have diverse needs and opportunities and through it, SQA plans to deliver a more 'joined-up' service to the Highlands and Islands, focusing strongly on the area’s special priorities.  Early areas of activity include:

• increased local delivery, through partnerships, of SQA’s new Skills for Work courses, which are vocationally-based and will prepare young people for the world of work, and let them take up local employment opportunities in sectors such as Construction, Care, Hospitality, Rural Skills and Sport and Recreation
• more delivery of ESOL qualifications (English for Speakers of Other Languages), by developing Units for migrant workers and encouraging more ESOL Courses in schools, aimed at persuading incoming talent to stay in the local area
• Piloting specific new Citizenship material (in partnership with Workers Educational Association, Inverness)
• Finding ways to support the recognition of migrant workers’ qualifications, starting with Polish qualifications

Another priority of the Strategy is to find ways to develop new qualifications in areas of particular importance to the Highlands and Islands. Areas already identified include Creative Industries; Science and Technology – including sustainable energy and waste recycling; Health Care; Construction; and Traditional Culture and Music.

Speaking at the launch, SQA Chief Executive Anton Colella said:

'We know that the Highlands and Islands area operates in unique circumstances, and while there are many challenges, there are significant strengths here too. 

We are delighted to be launching this Strategy. Through it, we want to help young people and members of the workforce feel greater confidence in the local future and to play our part in ensuring they will have up-to-date skills in sectors that are, and will be, important to the region’s economy. 

We want to help provide a learning and career development infrastructure that will attract newcomers and retain people. In turn, this will bring even more local investment.'

In developing a joint programme of work for the Highland and Islands, SQA and the UHI Millennium Institute have already formed a strategic alliance, and at the launch, these two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding that publicly and symbolically binds them both to partnership working in specific areas that will help deliver the new Strategy.

Professor Bob Cormack, Principal of UHI, said:

'We look forward to working with the SQA as part of our mission to create a knowledge and skills-based economy in the Highlands and Islands. Through our extensive network of colleges and research institutions, we want local people to find study and training options which will set them up for the future and strengthen the well-being of the region.'

The new Strategy has been developed in partnership. 

On behalf of Highland Council, Bruce Robertson, Director of Education, Culture and Sport, said:

'This strategy was conceived as a direct consequence of SQA holding a Board meeting in Inverness and seeking local solutions to local and national priorities. It is excellent that a national agency such as SQA can tailor its strategic direction to meet local needs which can be very different in the Highlands from other parts of Scotland. We are looking forward to a long term relationship with SQA that will add value to the excellent educational standards here in the Highlands.'
 
While, speaking on behalf of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Network, Alex Paterson, Director of Developing Skills, said:

'The Highlands and Islands economy is more diverse and dynamic today than it has ever been. A large, relatively sparsely populated area will always face distinct challenges, but it also enjoys many advantages. In recent years, distance-shrinking technologies have begun to have a positive impact and the economy has benefited from migrant workers, especially those from eastern Europe. One of the great strengths of the SQA's new strategy is that it recognises the current reality of the Highlands and Islands and looks to the future to develop new opportunities.'

Further information available from:

Mike Haggerty
SQA Head of Communications
Telephone: 0845 213 5288
Mobile: 07900 678 426
E-mail: mike.haggerty@sqa.org.uk

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