The Skills Agenda - an integrated approach

skills image Gordon Rodgers, Business Manager, SQA, facilitated this workshop, which built on some of the themes raised by Aileen Ponton in her key address. Participants were given a brief summary of the work of the Skills for Business Network, the goals of the Sector Skills Councils, and Scottish Enterprise’s priority industries and regional priorities.

The impact of, and issues arising from, Sector Skills Agreements were discussed and, in particular, the way these were expected to exert influence on the shaping of education provision and training and ensure that skills fit a sector’s needs. The importance of National Occupational Standards (NOS) in qualification development was also explored and the workshop heard about two specific examples – Renewable Energy (part of HND Systems Engineering) and HNC Management – that had been developed in line with NOS and SSC requirements.

Looking ahead, Gordon asked delegates to consider some challenges, questions and issues such as the Leitch Review of Skills, keeping HNs up-to-date, staff development needs, resource implications for colleges, and making more use of evidence from the workplace.

Delegates found the presentation informative and there were a number of questions relating to the functioning of SSCs and the use of National Occupational Standards in qualifications. The Leitch Review also generated a number of comments with delegates agreeing that some of the recommendations contained in the report would present challenges in Scotland.