Retail

The Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) in Retail are workplace qualifications designed to give candidates the appropriate industry-specific skills and knowledge. The SVQs reflect the changing face of retailing in the UK and offer flexibility in choice of Unit content to allow all roles in the industry to be recognised by a relevant qualification.

They are based on the National Occupational Standards (NOS) which have been developed by Skillsmart Retail, the sector skills council for the sector.

The SVQs are available through colleges and private training providers.

Important information: As of 1 September 2016, all SVQs with an established SCQF level no longer include the SVQ level in their titles. Please note that our web pages and documents will gradually be updated over time as the SVQs are reviewed, so may still contain the existing titles. More information on SCQF levels can be found on our SCQF web page.

Accreditation Update

The codes for the revised SVQs are given below:

SVQ 1 Retail Skills SCQF level 4 (GD8V 21)
SVQ 2 Retail Skills SCQF level 5 (GD8X 22)
SVQ 3 Retail (Sales Professional) SCQF level 6 (GD8T 23)
SVQ 3 Retail (Management) SCQF level 6 (GD8W 23)
SVQ 3 Retail (Visual Merchandising) SCQF level 6 (GD8G 23)

These SVQs will be operational from 1 December 2011 and entries can be made from this date.

If centres require access to archived materials for the earlier versions of the Retail SVQs, please contact Hannah Fleming at hannah.fleming@sqa.org.uk.

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Why deliver this qualification

These nationally-recognised retail qualifications provide the flexibility which is valued by candidates and centres. They can be offered at any time without the need to follow the academic session and have been designed to be assessed in the workplace, or in conditions of the workplace.

These SVQs could appeal to a wide variety of potential candidates, and open up the possibility of continued study.

Who does this qualification suit

These SVQs in Retail are designed for people working in the retail industry, including retail sales people, retail assistants, counter assistants, stockroom/warehouse assistants, visual merchandisers, cash point operators and managers in all these roles.

The content relates to the candidates’ work and provides a wide recognition of their skills and achievements. The SVQs offer enhanced job satisfaction and well structured opportunities to improve skills and career prospects.

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the centre. However, as these qualifications are work-based, candidates should be working in a suitable retail environment.

The SVQs are normally offered over the course of 12–24 months. Centres can tailor the optional Units to suit the individual candidate’s work role.


Progression

Candidates could progress to higher level SVQs in Retail, a Modern Apprenticeship in Retail, or to HNC/HNDs in Retail Management.

The SVQs in Retail could open up more employment opportunities and enhance career prospects.

Approval

Centres with devolved authority are eligible to seek approval through their own internal approval process.

Centres without devolved authority will have to come forward for approval and should contact the Business Development Team for guidance in completing the combined CA1/SA1 form.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA's general requirements as outlined in the guide to approval.

How to assess

Assessment is through performance in the workplace. The SVQs are likely to be delivered in large and small retail outlets, including department stores, specialist retailers (electrical, fashion, DIY, etc), food retailers, cash and carry outlets, and supermarkets.

Evidence may be gathered by observed performance, products of work, questioning, witness testimony and personal statement, and presented as a portfolio of candidate work.

Evidence may also be gathered online with assessors providing feedback via this medium.

Where can you take this course?

Qualification content and delivery tools

Information about the qualification(s)

National Occupational Standards

Unit information for this qualification is available on our Accredited Qualification Unit Search.

Leaflets

Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material

Assessor's guidelines

Blank Recording Forms


Assessor's Guidelines

Level: 1 to 3
Publication: DB5915/2
Edition: March 2016
Downloads: SVQ 1 Retail Skills SCQF level 4, SVQ 2 Retail Skills SCQF level 5, SVQ 3 Retail (Sales Professional) SCQF level 6, SVQ 3 Retail (Visual Merchandising) SCQF level 6, SVQ 3 (Management) SCQF level 6 (2.46 MB)

Candidate Guidance and Portfolio

Candidate Disclaimer for SVQ Portfolio

There is no SVQ Portfolio currently available.

Internal Assessment Reports

Internal Assessment Reports were formerly known as Senior Moderator Reports.

 

 

Monitoring Standards Reports


2006 reports

Unit(s) and delivery tools

Retail Skills SVQ level 1
Group Award code:G8AP 21

Retail Skills SVQ level 2                                            
Group Award code: G8AK 22

Retail (Sales Professional) SVQ level 3                    
Group Award code: G8AM 23

Retail (Management) SVQ level 3                
Group Award code: G8AL 23

Retail (Visual Merchandising) SVQ level 3   
Group Award code: G8AN 23

Structure

SVQ in Retail Skills level 1

Candidates must achieve one mandatory Unit and four optional Units.

Mandatory Unit
Work Effectively in your Retail Team 1 — F0AM 04

SVQ in Retail Skills level 2

Candidates must achieve one mandatory Unit and five optional Units.

Mandatory Unit
Work Effectively in your Retail Team 2 — F0AN 04

SVQ in Retail (Sales Professional) level 3

Candidates must achieve one mandatory Unit and five optional Units.

Mandatory Unit
Work Effectively in your Retail Organisation — F0AL 04

SVQ in Retail (Management) level 3

Candidates must achieve one mandatory Unit and five optional Units.

Mandatory Unit
Work Effectively in your Retail Organisation — F0AL 04

SVQ in Retail (Visual Merchandising) level 3

Candidates must achieve one mandatory Unit and five optional Units.

Mandatory Unit
Work Effectively in your Retail Organisation — F0AL 04

Any other information

The following publications can be downloaded from SQA’s website:

Assessor’s Guidelines
Assessment Strategy
Candidate Portfolios
Retail Assessment Guidance — Blank Recording Forms
Retail Online Assessment Guidance for Centres and Assessors

Online learning tools to support some of the knowledge can be found at the Retail Academy’s website: www.retailacademy.org.

Update Letters

Modern Apprenticeships

These Awards are also part of the Modern Apprenticeship in Retail L2 and L3

Useful Links

www.skillsmartretail.com/

Skillsmart Retail is the Sector Skills Council for the retail sector.