Our commitment to DYW

SQA is committed to helping young people realise their potential and achieve their ambitions.

We support DYW, not only through our qualifications and engagement with schools, colleges, training providers and employers. As a non-departmental public body in Scotland we are committed to supporting DYW in a number of ways including through Responsible Business.

Responsible Business

We work closely with several organisation to support young people who may have been disadvantaged socially and educationally when growing up. SQA is a National Corporate Parent and have Investors in Young People Good Practice Award.

We also support young people with our Pathway Apprenticeship Scheme, and offer work experience for S4 learners.

With a strong focus on mentoring and learning, SQA staff share their experiences in life and work, and skills with young people who need that extra help and support. We work closely with a number of bodies including Career Ready, Scottish Business in the Community, Project Scotland, Volunteer Scotland, Inspiring 500 and charitable bodies including the Cyrenians, the Bethany Christian Trust and Volunteer Midlothian.

Visit our Responsible Business page for more information.

Corporate Parents, Who Cares? Scotland

As of 1 April 2015, SQA became a National Corporate Parent under the Children and Young Person (Scotland) Act 2014. As a National Corporate Parent we work closely with Who Cares? Scotland and have a number of responsibilities to young people who experience the care system.

Investors in Young People

Investors in Young People (IIYP) have awarded SQA with the Good Practice Award. This award recognises employers who demonstrate excellence in recruiting, retraining and training young people.

SQA's Pathway Apprenticeship Scheme

Since 2012, SQA's Pathway Apprenticeship scheme offers young people an opportunity to work towards a Modern Apprenticeship in our Glasgow and Dalkeith offices.

Find out more about SQA Pathways.

Work Experience at SQA

SQA offers work experience for S4 learners at our offices in Glasgow and Dalkeith. This gives the young person hands-on experience of working life, and the opportunity to develop their skills.

For more information on work experience, please e-mail: judith.blackadder@sqa.org.uk