Our Qualifications

Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) are work-based qualifications which set the level of occupational competence for each sector of the economy and are usually delivered in the workplace or in partnership with a college or other training provider.

The qualifications have been designed by standards-setting bodies made up of experienced practitioners who represent employers, professional bodies, trade unions, education and voluntary organisations. Each standards-setting body is responsible for developing national standards which define what employees (or potential employees) must be able to do, how well, and in what circumstances, to show that they are competent in their work. Each SVQ which a standards-setting body develops has to fit into a broad framework which allows qualifications in the UK and throughout Europe to be compared. 1 SVQ2 Team Leading SCQF level 5 (GC49 22) – Assessment Guidance and Units. There are SVQs for nearly all occupations in Scotland and they are available at SVQ levels 1-5. SVQs are currently notionally placed in the SCQF as the individual SVQs may be at differing SCQF levels and have differing amount of credit points, depending on the structure and context of the SVQ. SVQs are a means of recognising the skills and knowledge people need in employment, ie job competence. Successful completion of an SVQ provides clear evidence that the learner works to nationally recognised occupational standards. Each Unit defines one aspect of a job or work-role, and says what it is to be competent in that aspect of the job. To be awarded a full SVQ, learners must achieve each of the SVQ Units which make it up by demonstrating that they are competent in that aspect of the job. The Units which make up the SVQ can also be taken as freestanding awards. Some SVQs or SVQ Units are incorporated into other awards or programmes including Professional Development Awards (PDAs), and Modern Apprenticeships. The Units making up the SVQ in Team Leading have been credit rated and levelled on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). The overall SCQF level for the SVQ2 Team Leading is SCQF level 5.

Awards, Certificates and Diplomas derived from the New Model Apprenticeship (NMA) process recognise competence in job-related skills and are based on standards called work situations.

This Diploma covers areas such as providing customer centric service and developing meta-skills and personal practice.

Customer service impacts on all occupational sectors. Employees working in hotels, retail outlets, travel organisations, beauty therapy, hairdressing, sports centres, local authorities and voluntary organisations all require effective customer service skills and knowledge.

The Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Occupational Profile may be of use here (if published and available) as part of an SDS employer-led programme, which may either form part of an apprenticeship or a stand-alone qualification.

This qualification is available through employers and training providers.

The Employability Award is an introduction to the world of work for those who are unsure about how to gain and sustain employment. It is available at SCQF level 3 and level 4. The Course focuses on generic employability skills, to enable a successful move into the job market. Candidates will develop skills and attitudes which will be applicable across all areas of employment.

This qualification is available in schools and colleges.

The PDAs in Housing Law Advice have been developed by QS in conjunction with Communities Scotland and HomePoint with the assistance of Shelter. The new qualifications are based national performance standards on housing law advice and comprise a suite of Units which have been designed to meet the needs of staff involved in providing advice at different levels. The PDA at level 6 is an introductory course aimed at staff in a variety of settings which may offer advice of a general nature to service users, (eg, voluntary sector organisations such as Citizen’s Advice) or front line staff (eg reception staff) in housing-related organisations for whom providing advice is not the major function but who require a basic understanding of the key issues and legislation. This award will also afford candidates the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge in order to progress within a career in housing. The PDA at level 7 is an advanced course designed for housing advisors whose key function is to provide specialist advice to a variety of service users on a range of key housing issues with a particular emphasis on housing law advice. In addition, it includes as an option, the Unit — Representation at Hearings. This is at SCQF level 8 and is designed to provide specialist knowledge and skills for senior staff involved in representing clients at a range of formal hearings.

The Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Advice and Guidance at SCQF levels 7 allows learners to demonstrate competence in job-related skills in their particular area of work and expertise.

Areas covered include: communicating with potential clients; supporting clients to make use of services; reviewing your contribution to services; developing and managing interviews with clients; as well as working with clients to develop an action plan for implementation and acting as a mentor to colleagues.

This SVQ has been designed in partnership with the Sector Skills Council Skills for Justice to ensure that it is relevant.

SVQs are based on National Occupational Standards (NOS). QS works in partnership with other organisations to ensure that NOS are relevant to the current and future needs of Scottish industries.

 

Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) recognise competence in job-related skills and are based on National Occupational Standards.

SVQs in Business and Administration are designed to equip those working in business and administration with the skills and knowledge they need to demonstrate competence in their job role.

Level 5 involves a greater range of activities with some degree of complexity and limited autonomy. Mandatory units cover undertaking allocated work, and communicating and managing one’s own performance in a business environment. There is a wide range of optional units including: document production, supporting events, meetings and diaries, customer service, IT and various specialist administrative functions.

At SCQF level 6, candidates have a broad range of activities with significant complexity, responsibility and autonomy, often in a supervisory or team-leading role. Mandatory units cover managing workload, communicating and planning, and improving one’s own performance in a business environment. There is again a wide range of optional units including: work responsibilities, document production and design, managing events, customer service, managing business resources, and managing information and data.

SCQF level 8 candidates will normally be managers with responsibility for staff and/or financial or other resources. Mandatory units involve managing and being accountable for own performance, and managing work and communication in a business environment. Optional units include business support services, project management, managing business resources, innovation and change, managing Information and data, customer service and communication.

The Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Management at SCQF level 7 allows candidates to demonstrate competence in job-related skills in their particular area of work and expertise. It has been developed to support those working as first line managers, section managers, assistant managers, trainee managers, senior supervisors, and those working in a range of other management positions.

This qualification is jointly awarded with the Chartered Institute of Management (CMI). Candidates who are registered for SVQ  in Management at SCQF level 7 (GM26 23) are able to take advantage of 12 months free studying membership of CMI.

The Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Management at SCQF level 9 allows candidates to demonstrate competence in job-related skills in their particular area of work and expertise. It has been developed to support those working as middle managers.

This qualification is jointly awarded with the Chartered Institute of Management (CMI). Candidates who are registered for SVQ  in Management at SCQF level 9 (GM27 24) are able to take advantage of 12 months free studying membership of CMI.

The SVQ2 Team Leading SCQF level 5 is a nationally recognised qualification awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (QS) in partnership with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), and is aimed at those in their first managerial role who are likely to have a limited span of control and responsibility for small teams of people.