Online survey of IT and Telecoms Professional Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland

In order to constantly improve and promote Modern Apprenticeships for ICT in Scotland, e-skills UK is currently seeking feedback from employers regarding the Modern Apprenticeship frameworks.

The online survey is seeking feedback on:

• whether employers would welcome the introduction of a new Level 2 Modern Apprenticeship

• employers’ views on the current Level 3 Modern Apprenticeship framework

• the feasibility of introducing a higher level Apprenticeship

Scottish Vocational Qualifications in the Social Services Sector

Qualifying the Workforce

Reid Kerr College is an important provider of vocational education and training in Scotland and offers a wide range of employer-led training programmes including Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). Key to the success of these training programmes is partnership working, and a recent awards ceremony hosted by Renfrewshire Council recognised the dedication of their workers and the ongoing training and development partnership with Reid Kerr College.

Scottish Vocational Qualifications are qualifications which combine skills, knowledge and ability within a specific occupational area. Since the successful partnership began in March 2004, over 40 social work employees from Renfrewshire Council have completed SVQ Management Units at Level 4. Debbie Coutts, Senior Resource Officer with Renfrewshire Council commented on the recent awards and training.

‘The Social Work Professional Training Section acknowledges that the quality of service provision is heavily dependant on the staff employed, and takes our role in how the service is delivered seriously. We make time for personal and professional development, and have done this by working in partnership with trainers from Reid Kerr College, to ensure staff’s ability and readiness for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council.’

‘Reid Kerr has provided us with a flexible programme for staff qualification, tailoring courses to meet our needs and assisting us in placing service standards and workforce development at the forefront of everything we do.’
 

Jim McAllister, Head of Corporate, Languages and International Business at Reid Kerr College, added: ‘I believe that working in partnership with the Social Work department is a rewarding experience for both organisations. The managers who complete their SVQ Units show a great commitment and attitude to their work and study, and what started as a pilot in 2004 has developed into an excellent model of how partnership working can be beneficial to all.'

Funding and Support for Training Guide Published

Blazing a Vocational Qualifications Trail

Successful SVQ candidate Maureen Davidson, left, with Jackie Powell Assessor right.

The Scottish Court Service Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ) Centre is the first centre in the UK to be approved to offer the Managing Justice Sector Services (MJSS) Award. This brand new suite of vocational qualifications was developed by Skills for Justice in collaboration with representatives from across the justice sector.

The National Occupational Standards (NOS) within the qualifications come from three sources:

• newly developed for the sector

• developed as part of the ‘common’ Units for the Justice Sector, and

• from the existing NOS for Management and Leadership

The qualification framework has three distinct levels: 3, 4 and 5. Individual manager’s job roles and responsibilities are likely to cover functions across more than one level because job descriptions do not necessarily break down neatly into levels.

Last year, 12 candidates took part in the Executive Officers development programme which consisted of two main elements: a learning element and a workplace element. The MJSS Level 3 SVQ was part of the learning element and, following attendance at training events and preparation for the 2007 Assessment Centre, candidates continued to gather evidence for the Units selected. Five candidates have completed their MJSS awards and congratulations go to Maureen Davidson, Fiona McFadden, Rosie Smith, Linda Clelland and Neil Rawlings, Well Done!

Due to the variety of roles and job-specific functions across SCS, not all candidates had exactly the same SVQ experience. Often exposure and opportunities to gather evidence are very different from one court/unit to another. Neil Rawlings, Edinburgh Sheriff Court, reports that:

‘The SVQ gave me a good framework of the kinds of skills and tools I needed to be an effective HEO manager. Sometimes you don't get a chance to get your head up and see the bigger picture but the SVQ definitely helped me here.’

Across in the west, Fiona McFadden, Glasgow Sheriff Court, said:

‘I found the SVQ quite challenging, fitting it in around court commitments, but found it very rewarding. It was beneficial in bringing different aspects of my past and present development to the forefront of my mind and it makes you aware of progress you have made, the importance of communication with staff, sharing knowledge etc.’

SSSC Get Skilled 2

The SSSC has recently published the second issue of Get Skilled. The SSSC, as part of Skills for Care and Development, the Sector Skills Council for the social services sector, looks at the work that is underway to implement the Sector Skills Agreement (SSA).

This edition of Get Skilled also looks at projects which contribute to skills solutions and challenges identified in the Sector Skills Agreement (SSA). These include:

• two research projects which aim to improve our understanding of the role of migrant workers in the social services workforce

• a guide to funding and support services for workforce development

• a project to improve understanding of future service demand and the workforce implications

• the Continuous Learning Framework

• an update on the new Childhood Practice awards

• information about careers in early years

New National Occupational Standards and SVQ for IT Users

e-skills UK are delighted to announce that the new National Occupational Standards for IT Users have now been approved for use with effect from March 2009 and that the new ITQ (SVQ for IT Users) should be widely available from August 2009. 

National Occupational Standards (NOS) set out measurable performance outcomes to which an individual is expected to work in a given occupation. Developed by employers across the UK, NOS set out the skills, knowledge and understanding required to perform competently in the workplace.

These new standards are one of the main outcomes of a comprehensive review project to ensure the NOS are brought up-to-date, given both the rapidly changing IT user environment and developments across the UK to streamline the format and layout of standards in readiness for transition to qualifications based on national qualifications frameworks.

The review set out a number of key objectives for the new NOS to:

• build on the expertise and approach reflected in the previous version (providing full coverage of the previous version where it exists)

• underpin all IT user qualifications, reflecting the breadth and depth of current practice, giving clarity for employers, and allowing differentiation between the IT user skill sets appropriate for and gained by different users

• reflect the changing and increasing use of IT for creative and collaborative tasks

• have a greater focus on skills than on knowledge

• provide a simple framework for all IT User qualifications

• provide clear articulation with Functional Skills, Skills for Life, Essential Skills, Adult Basic Skills, Key Skills and Core Skills standards

• provide clear articulation with IT professional standards

• be expressed in simple and straightforward language, amplified with examples of both content and context

• be easily navigated and uniquely referenced

The second part of the review project focused on updating the ITQ qualification structure and assessment strategy in the light of the new national qualifications and credit frameworks.

Engineering Centre Acts to Support Shetland’s Economy

IRRV and Customer Service SVQs

The Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation (IRRV) is an approved awarding body for housing benefits and local taxation, but would like to be able to award Customer Service SVQs.

The centres which are registered with the Institute are mainly local authorities. They provide a wide range of services, and the front-line officers who deliver them are not just concerned with revenues and benefits, they often represent many services.

Consequently, there is a demand from employers and centres registered with the IRRV for the Institute to be an approved awarding body for the Level 2 and Level 3 SVQ in Customer Service so that it can provide qualifications relevant to the job roles of its members.

If you would like to know more please contact Lindsay Frankland (SVQ Manager) on 020 7691 8981.