SVQ Food and Drink Operations (Production and Processing Skills) SCQF level 5

The Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Food and Drink Operations (Production and Processing Skills) at SCQF level 5 allows candidates to demonstrate competence in job-related skills in their particular area of work and expertise.

This qualification covers areas such as food safety standards in manufacture, working safely, plant and equipment operation, batching, depositing, forming, conditioning, bottling, pelletising, and slicing.

Developed by National Skills Academy for Food and Drink (NSAFD), the sector skills council for the food and drink manufacturing sector, the SVQ in Food and Drink Operations (Production and Processing Skills) at SCQF level 5 qualification is awarded by SQA in partnership with NSAFD and SQA in partnership with Scottish Bakers.

This qualification must be assessed in the workplace, and is therefore only suitable for individuals employed in the food and drink industry. It is available through employers, further education and training providers.

Why deliver this qualification

Upon successful completion, learners will gain an internationally-recognised qualification which 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 which minimises any time that learners would need to be away from their work.

Candidates can progress to a range of vocational qualifications and to higher education.

The SVQ can be offered in any of the following modes:

  • full-time
  • part-time (such as day-release)
  • open and distance learning.

The achievement of other qualifications within the food and drink suite may can contribute towards the successful completion of this award.

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 them to gather the required evidence.

No prior qualifications are required to undertake this qualification, although experience in/knowledge of the subject would be an advantage.

Progression

The level 5 award could provide progression to:

  • degree level study at a higher education institution
  • employment in the food and drink sector

Approval

Centres without devolved authority require 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 (510 KB).

How to assess

For general information on how to assess this qualification, please refer to the document Guidance on how to assess SVQs (523 KB). 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

Information about the qualification(s)

Qualification Structure

The SVQ in Food and Drink Operations (Production and Processing Skills) at SCQF level 5 consists of 2 mandatory units and 6 optional units.

For details of the units making up the SVQ, please refer to:

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 (127 KB)

Awarding partnership arrangements

GP1V 22 in Food and Drink Operations (Production and Processing Skills) is jointly awarded with NSAFD.

GP3V 22 in Food and Drink Operations (Production and Processing Skills) is jointly awarded with Scottish Bakers.

Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material

Assessment strategy

Assessment strategy (226 KB)

Assessor's guidelines

Candidate Guidance and Portfolio

Useful links