The Lead Person Network (LPN) met yesterday afternoon. The LPN, as the name suggests, is a network of people representing every college in Scotland. We use it to communicate with colleges and get feedback from practitioners. Every college has a designated lead person. The LPN is one of three SQA committees that help me and my team carry out our duties. The Sector Panel provides strategic advice about the IT sector and consists of representatives of industry, business, universities, colleges, schools…
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The past year has been a very challenging one for us all however, there is no doubt that it is more important than ever that learners have opportunities to gain digital skills. Several units and awards in the digital portfolio are now due for review and are listed below. Please use the following links to access Group Award and Unit specifications for more information. • NPA Digital Literacy (SCQF level 3) o SCQF level 3 Group Award code: GL06…
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Regular readers will know that we’re in the process of developing two new Higher National Qualifications: HNC Computing and HND Data Science. We’re hoping to pilot these qualifications in centres next session. We’re currently looking for two centres for each qualification to test the prototypes. HNC Computing is based on the current HNC but the HND is new. “Next generation” HNs are different from current Higher National Qualifications in a number of respects including: size — HNCs and HNDs are 15…
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As advised in a previous post, due to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, SQA Accreditation offered to provide a 6-month extension to all qualifications that had a lapsing date of up to 31st March 2021. This offer has now been extended to all qualifications with a lapsing date of up to 30/09/2021. Therefore, the following CBQs will be extended for another six months. Please see updated dates below: Code: GJ75 46Title: Diploma for Information Security Professionals at SCQF…
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Since my last update about the next generation of Higher National Qualifications (HN-NG), we’ve moved onto writing the component units within HNC Computing and HND Data Science. Writers and vetters have been recruited for all of the new units in these qualifications and we’re carrying out training this week (yesterday, today and tomorrow). One of the important changes that HN-NG will introduce is the way that units are described. Firstly, NG units will be larger than current types — typically…
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I’ve been notified that Groupspaces is closing on 2 April. That’s disappointing news since we’ve been using the (free) service as a mailing list for a number of years. Members of various committees (such as the Sector Panel and Qualification Support Team) and various project teams (such as HN Next Gen) have been using it to communicate and collaborate. We’ve used a number of these services over the years, starting with E-Groups (around 20 years) ago and including services such…
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February 26, 2021 - Bobby -
I’m pleased to let you know that Emma has been promoted within SQA. Emma has been my Qualifications Officer (QO) since March 2016 and is becoming a Qualifications Co-ordinator in a different team from Monday (1 March). It’s an internal secondment, lasting 18 months, and I’m actively looking for an internal replacement. The interviews will take place next week and I hope to have a new person within the next few weeks. In the meantime, there will be some reshuffling…
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February 25, 2021 - sqablogs -
Those of you who have been following this development will be aware that the alternative assessments for NPA Cyber Security have been in production for some time now. This project was significantly delayed due to a number of setbacks. Firstly, the original alternative assessments produced were not deemed fit for purpose after undergoing quality assurance procedures. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and other priorities took over. However, this project was resumed after summer and I am pleased to advise that…
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February 18, 2021 - sqablogs -
On 22 February, Cyber Scotland Week will kick off with a range of events celebrating cyber security and cyber resilience. Throughout the 22-28 February, online events will be running with the aim of raising awareness of good practice, promoting skills development and a career in cyber security. All of the events are designed to make businesses, organisations and individuals more cyber aware and resilient. As always, SQA will be supporting this celebration of cyber security with posts and promotional information…
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February 16, 2021 - Bobby -
I’ve been meaning to post an update about the recent Qualification Development Team (QDT) meeting for HN-NG awards in Computing, which took place on 29 January. The attendance (16 people) was exceptional given that it was held late Friday afternoon. Regular readers will know that we’re developing two qualifications as part of the first phase of HN-NG. HNC Computing HND Data Science. The meeting focussed on grading. Grading is one (of the many) changes that HN-NG will introduce. The proposal…
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