SVQ Occupational Health and Safety SCQF level 7
The Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Occupational Health and Safety at SCQF level 7 allows candidates to demonstrate competence in job-related skills in their particular area of work and expertise.
This qualification covers areas such as making sure your own actions reduce risks to health and safety, developing procedures to safely control work operations, safely controlling work operations, promoting a positive health and safety culture, and conducting a health and safety risk assessment of a workplace.
This qualification has been designed in partnership/jointly awarded with the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink sector skills council to ensure relevance to the sector.
SVQs are based on National Occupational Standards. SQA works in partnership with other organisations to ensure that National Occupational Standards are relevant to the current and future needs of Scottish industries.
This qualification is available through a range of organisations including employers and training providers.
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Why deliver this qualification
Learners will gain an internationally-recognised qualification that guarantees that they have the skills, knowledge and abilities required to carry out their role successfully. Employers will also benefit from their employees being proficient.
Assessment is carried out in the workplace. This minimises any time learners need to be away from their work.
Candidates can progress to a range of qualifications including SVQ Occupational Health and Safety Practice at SCQF level 9.
The SVQ can be offered in any of the following modes:
- full-time
- part-time (for example, day-release)
- open and distance learning
Who does this qualification suit
This SVQ is suitable for:
- learners who may have just left school
- individuals who are currently in employment and who wish to obtain a formal qualification
- employees who wish to obtain short, continuing professional development courses
Access
Entry is at the discretion of the centre.
Candidates should be in a job or placement where they are carrying out relevant tasks and responsibilities which allow then to gather the required evidence.
No prior qualifications are required to undertake this qualification, although experience or knowledge of the health and safety and related sectors would be an advantage.
Progression
The level 7 award could provide progression to:
- a PDA in Occupational Health and Safety Practice at SCQF level 8
- an SVQ in Occupational Health and Safety Practice at SCQF level 9
- degree level study in a related area at a higher education institution
- employment in a range of sectors, perhaps as a health and safety officer
Approval
Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.
Centres without devolved authority will have to come forward for approval and should contact SQA's Business Development Team for guidance.
Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA's general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide
How to assess
For general information, please refer to the document Guidance on how to assess SVQs. For detailed guidance on how to assess this particular SVQ, please refer to the assessment strategy.
Where can you take this course?
Qualification content and delivery tools
Current
Information about the qualification(s)
Qualification Structure
Group Award Code: GT5N 23
The SVQ in Occupational Health and Safety at SCQF level 7 consists of six mandatory units and one optional unit.
For details of the units making up the SVQ, please refer to the qualification structure (45 KB).
National Occupational Standards
Unit information for this qualification is available on our Unit Search.
Core Skills signposting
Core Skill mappings are carried out by the SSC responsible for the development of an SVQ. It is a requirement of SQA Accreditation that every SVQ submission includes information on where possible opportunities for candidates to develop Core Skills exist across the mandatory units.
Centres should note that mappings are not audited or validated against the Core Skills framework/units so are not accepted by SQA awarding body as evidence towards achievement of the Core Skills units.
Core Skills Signposting SVQ Occupational Health and Safety Level 7 and Level 9 (79 KB)
Modern Apprenticeships
This SVQ is a mandatory component in the Level 3 : Occupational Health and Safety Practice level 3 Modern Apprenticeship.
Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material
Assessment strategy
Assessor's guidelines
Candidate Guidance and Portfolio
- Guidance for candidates starting an SVQ (626 KB)
- Candidate Portfolio A4 Cover (118 KB)
- Candidate blank recording forms (616 KB)
Lapsing
Information about the qualification(s)
Qualification Structure
SVQ in Occupational Health and Safety (GK51 23)
This group award has been replaced.
It entered its lapsing period on: 31/5/2022
It finishes on: 31/5/2026
- Qualification structure (60 KB)
National Occupational Standards
Unit information for this qualification is available on our Unit Search.
Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material
Assessment strategy
Candidate Guidance and Portfolio
- Guidance for candidates starting an SVQ (626 KB)
- Candidate Portfolio A4 Cover (118 KB)
- Candidate blank recording forms (616 KB)