SVQ Pre Press SCQF level 6

The Scottish Vocational Qualification in Pre Press at SCQF level 6 allows learners to demonstrate competence in job-related skills in their particular area of work and expertise.

The qualification covers areas such as: planning work to meet production requirements, maintaining and configuring digital systems, sending and receiving digital files, controlling digital colour printing machines, designing and producing creative digital colour artwork for print, and producing imposed digital files (separations) for printing. There is also a mandatory Unit on making sure your own actions reduce risks to health and safety.

The SVQ has three pathways allowing candidates to specialise in one of the following depending on their job role. These are:

This qualification has been designed in partnership with the Sector Skills Council, ProSkills, 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 (NOS) are relevant to the current and future needs of Scottish industries.

This qualification is designed to be delivered primarily in the workplace or, alternatively, in a suitable employment placement.

Why deliver this qualification

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.

As assessment is carried out in the workplace this minimises any time learners would need to be away from their work.

Learners can progress to a range of qualifications including a wide range of SVQs for the print sector to broaden their experience or the HNC or HND in Creative Printmaking at SCQF levels 7 and 8.

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

  • full-time
  • part-time (eg day-release) 

Who does this qualification suit

This SVQ is suitable for:

  • individuals who are currently in employment and who wish to obtain a formal qualification

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the centre.

Learners 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 knowledge of pre-press operations would be an advantage.

Progression

This SVQ 3 could provide progression to:

  • lateral progression to other Level 3 SVQs for the wider print sector including Press and Post Press
  • an HNC/HND in Creative Printmaking or a related area
  • degree level study in a related discipline at a higher education institution
  • employment in a range of jobs in the print sector

Approval

Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.

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

How to assess

For general information on how to assess this qualification, 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

Information about the qualification(s)

Qualification Structure

The SVQ in Pre Press at SCQF level 6 consists of five mandatory Units and two optional Units.

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.

Awarding partnership arrangements

This SVQ is awarded in partnership with Graphic Enterprise Scotland.

Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material

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