NextGen: HN Pilot Centre Update

The latest pilot centre themed conversation focused on Learning for Sustainability (LfS) within NextGen: HN qualifications. The session highlighted how environmental, social, and economic sustainability, and the associated UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), could be introduced into learning, teaching, and assessment.

We welcomed three speakers to discuss their approaches:  

• Drew McNeice, SQA Qualifications Manager for Engineering  
  Drew discussed the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence and the contribution to sustainable development all professionally registered engineers and technicians have. He also focused on embedding of Engineering Council’s sustainability guiding principles into NextGen: HNC Engineering. By embedding this into unit content and assessment,  he aims to ensure that learners  are fully aware of their role and obligations. 

• Margaret Boyack, lecturer in HNC Accounting at Edinburgh College  
  Margaret provided examples of presentations prepared by learners for the Professional Considerations in Accounting unit. This unit requires learners to  advise clients on good sustainability practices. The examples included a presentation on (mis)appropriation of freshwater by a soft drinks company, the use of LifeStraws to filter and purify untreated water, and ‘greenwashing’ of accounts by fashion companies.  

• Carol Langston, Director of SRUC’s Enterprise Academy for the Rural and Natural Economy  
  Carol introduced us to SRUC’s SEEDABLE curriculum project. SEEDABLE is a competence-based approach that embeds sustainability, enterprise, equality, diversity, and active and blended learning throughout all SRUC programmes.  

Following the presentations breakout sessions were utilised to give delegates the opportunity to comment on their centre’s sustainability initiatives and approaches. Discussion included embedding sustainability into learning and teaching alongside reviewing their role as practitioners and whether they  felt they had sufficient knowledge to do so.  

It was clear that practitioners desire more continuous professional development  opportunities, such as training courses. We have developed a number of NextGen: HN resources to help support our pilot centres with more in development.

Below are links to free sustainability training courses:

• CDN sustainability module helps support everyone working in Scotland’s colleges to understand the importance of sustainability and consider their contribution. This module should take approximatey 45 minutes to complete. 

• West College Scotland offers a wide range of short courses, from introductory level to level   
  1-3 certified courses  

• FutureLearn provides courses from universities and specialist organisations. Most courses are free   with limited access, but additional benefits are available for a subscription fee. 

• Coursera currently offers 299 sustainability-related short courses, including many free of charge.   

• United Nations University offers e-learning courses, designed to align with the Sustainable Development Goals.  

• Learning for Sustainability Scotland  is a network providing policy, practice, courses and resources.  

• GTCS Learning for Sustainability Hub offers 3 modules alongside community of practice.   

Other useful sustainability resources:  

• UN Sustainable Development Goals  

• EAUC, including their Scottish climate emergency college statement (and link to a climate action roadmap for FE colleges)  

• Association of Colleges, including the Carbon Literacy Project