SVQ Food and Drink Operations (Fish and Shellfish Skills) SCQF level 5
Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) recognise competence in job-related skills and are based on National Occupational Standards.
This SVQ covers areas such as filleting, processing, grading, packing, retail display of fish and shellfish, counter/take-away food service and sales.
Developed by the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink (NSAFD), the sector skills council (SSC) for the food and drink manufacturing sector, this qualification is awarded by SQA in partnership with NSAFD.
This qualification is available through 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.
Learners can progress to a range of qualifications including vocational or higher education.
The SVQ can be offered in any of the following modes:
- full-time
- part-time (for example, day-release)
- open and distance learning
Having other qualifications within the food and drink suite can contribute towards the achievement 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 complete 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, or a knowledge of, the subject would be an advantage.
Progression
The SCQF level 5 award could provide progression to:
- SVQ in Food and Drink Operations at SCQF level 6
- NPA in Food and Drink Manufacture at SCQF level 6
- HNC in Food Science and Technology at SCQF level 7
- management or leadership degree level study at a higher education institution
- career development or employment in the food (fish and shellfish) sector
Approval
Centres without devolved authority must 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 and/or occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide.
How to assess
For general information, please refer to the document Information for Assessment of Scottish Vocational Qualifications (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: GW04 22
The SVQ in Food and Drink Operations (Fish and Shellfish Skills) at SCQF level 5 consists of 8 optional units.
For details of the units making up the SVQ, please refer to the qualification structure (67 KB).
National Occupational Standards
Centres/candidates undertaking these courses should also refer to the full National Occupational Standards for information relating to the overview and scope.
Unit information for this qualification is available on our Unit Search.
Unit information for this qualification is available on our Unit Search.
Core Skills signposting
Core Skills mapping is 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 mapping is not audited or validated against the Core Skills framework/units so is not accepted by SQA awarding body as evidence towards achievement of the Core Skills units.
- Core Skills signposting (195 KB)
Modern Apprenticeships
This SVQ is a mandatory component in Level 5 Food and Drink Operations.
SQA also offers the following components of this apprenticeship:
SVQ in Food and Drink Operations (Fish and Shellfish Skills) at SCQF level 5
| Unit title | SCQF 3 | SCQF 4 | SCQF 5 | SCQF 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Skills: Communication | F425 04 | F426 04 | F427 04 | F428 04 |
| Core Skills: Numeracy | F429 04 | F42A 04 | F42B 04 | F42C 04 |
| Core Skills: Information and Communication Technology | F42D 04 | F42E 04 | F42F 04 | F42G 04 |
| Core Skills: Problem Solving | F42H 04 | F42J 04 | F42K 04 | F42L 04 |
| Core Skills: Working with Others | F42M 04 | F42N 04 | F42P 04 | F42R 04 |
Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material
Lapsing
Information about the qualification(s)
Qualification Structure
SVQ in Food and Drink Operations (Fish and Shellfish Processing Skills) at SCQF level 5 – GR5T 22
This group award has been replaced.
It entered its lapsing period on: 30 June 2025
It finishes on: 30 June 2027
Group Award Code: GR5T 22
The SVQ in Food and Drink Operations (Fish and Shellfish Processing Skills) at SCQF level 5 consists of two mandatory units and six optional units.
For details of the Units making up the SVQ, please refer to the Qualification Structure (56 KB).
National Occupational Standards
Centres/candidates undertaking these Courses should also refer to the full National Occupational Standards for information relating to the overview and scope.
Unit information for this qualification is available on our Unit Search.
Core Skills signposting
Core Skills mapping is 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 mapping is not audited or validated against the Core Skills framework/units so is not accepted by SQA awarding body as evidence towards achievement of the Core Skills units.
- Core Skills Signposting (281 KB)
Awarding partnership arrangements
GR5T 22 in Food and Drink Operations (Fish and Shellfish Processing Skills) is jointly awarded by NSAFD.
Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material
Assessment strategy
- Assessment strategy (86 KB)
Assessor's guidelines
- Assessor's guidelines (1.01 MB)