Realising Scotland’s Financial Assets

We have created a new set of awards designed to meet the needs of Scotland’s Financial Services industry. For the first time, they provide a comprehensive range of awards for candidates of every age and level of experience. The aim is to help develop the pool of highly trained staff required to fuel future development and growth and to secure Scotland’s place in this highly competitive marketplace.

The new awards currently cover four qualifications:

• the National Qualification (NQ) Skills for Work 
• Higher National (HN) 
• National Professional Award (NPA) 
• Professional Development Award (PDA)

Together, they offer a clear route to progress within the sector for candidates from school leavers to experienced industry professionals. They have been devised in collaboration with the Securities and Investment Institute, the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland.

We introduced the new qualifications to the sector at a presentation and exhibition held in Edinburgh supported by the Financial Services Skills Council. The event was attended by around 40 senior staff representing the major organisations in the Financial sector.

Sue Macfarlane, our Qualifications Manager in the area says, 'The new Financial Services awards represent a real opportunity for a thriving industry to bring new prosperity and employment to Scotland by raising the standards of training amongst potential and new employees. Proof that improved skills are good for the industry, for the individual and for the economy'.