September 18, 2023 - Bobby -
The Qualification Development Team (QDT) for Next Gen Computing qualifications met this afternoon to discuss progress with the development. It was the fifth meeting of the committee since the start of the second phase of developments. Five Higher National Qualifications (HNQs) are involved in this work: HNC Computing (phase 1) HND Computer Science (phase 2) HND Data Science (phase 1) HND Networking & Cloud Infrastructure (phase 2) HND Software Development (phase 2). The development work was completed some time ago…
Read moreRead more about QDT meeting for Next Gen Computing
September 12, 2023 - Bobby -
I’ve updated the diagram that illustrates the portfolio of vocational Computing qualifications. Here’s PDF version for you to download. Portfolio (vocational Computing) I know that some of you begin to plan next session’s qualifications towards the end of the calendar year. Here are the highlights from the diagram. There has been a lot of changes to CBQs over the last year. Please note that the following diplomas don’t lapse until the end of October: IT & Telecom Professionals (Level 6),…
Read moreRead more about Portfolio update
September 11, 2023 - Bobby -
I’m pleased to let you know that Amy has been successful in applying for a permanent Qualifications Officer position in the Business Administration team. Amy will move to her new position next Monday (18 September) but will continue to work on Next Gen for Computing for the foreseeable future. Megan is going to move to advanced qualifications (HNC/HND/PDA) and will take over that portfolio from next week. In the meantime, Megan will also continue to support non-advanced qualifications (NPA/NC) and…
Read moreRead more about Team change
September 4, 2023 - Megan -
Following the success of last year’s SQA Connections Week, SQA will be running the event again from Monday 2nd to Thursday 5th October 2023. The online event offers schools, colleges and employers/training providers the opportunity to learn about qualification updates, get insights into new developments, and develop ideas for the future. SQA Computing will be running the following sessions: Wednesday 4th October 3pm – 4pm: National Progression Award (NPA) in Esports – this session will provide an overview of our…
Read moreRead more about SQA Connections Week
August 30, 2023 - Megan -
Do you need a Secure English Language Test as part of your UK visa application process? Then Skills for English is the test for you! Find more details of the test at the following link: https://skillsforenglish.com/test/ For further information please contact the SELT team
Read moreRead more about Skills for English
August 25, 2023 - Bobby -
The team are helped by two committees. These are the Sector Panel and the Qualifications Support Team (QST). The Sector Panel provides strategic advice to the team about such things as new qualifications needed by employers. The membership comprises representatives of industry, education, training centres and national organisations. The Qualification Support Team advises us about the types of support needed for existing qualifications. The membership comprises school teachers, college lecturers and training providers. We’re looking for new members for both committees. The time…
Read moreRead more about Committees
August 23, 2023 - Bobby -
Over 300 educators have joined the Viva Engage (aka Yammer) network, dedicated to supporting vocational qualifications in Computing. There are specialist groups to support various qualifications including NPA Cyber Security, NPA Esports, NPA Data Science and SVQs. So, if you teach a vocational Computing qualification in a school, college or training centre, please consider joining the network. You’ll find it at this URL: https://www.yammer.com/sqacomputing We plan to focus our support efforts on this platform this session so we think you’ll…
Read moreRead more about Join us on Viva Engage
August 17, 2023 - Bobby -
I recently announced that SQA will be developing a new, broad-based vocational qualification in Computing and we’re now in a position to form a Qualification Development Team (QDT) for this work. The QDT is responsible to designing and developing the qualification so it serves a vital role. We’re looking for educators, employers and others to participate. Although serving on the committee is not paid, additional work (such as writing units) is paid. The work will take place from now (August)…
Read moreRead more about Qualification Development Team for NPA Computing
August 17, 2023 - Bobby -
Regular readers will know that we’ve been involved, along with some other subjects, in a big development programme called “Next Generation Higher National Qualifications”. This seems a good time to update you about what’s been happening. The “Next Gen” programme is more than updating the contents of Higher National Qualifications (HNQs) — although it certainly does that. It redesigns them in quite fundamental ways and introduces qualification grading (“Achieved”, “Merit” or “Distinction”). Four existing qualifications have been updated and one…
Read moreRead more about Higher National modernisation programme
August 16, 2023 - Bobby -
The team would like to welcome you back for session 2023/24. We hope that you had a nice summer holiday. The coming session is shaping up to be a busy and interesting year. NPA Data Science is being reviewed to address some of the issues that have been identified since it was first introduced in 2019. Data science is a vital discipline for Scotland and it’s pleasing to see the relatively rapid growth of this qualification since then. At the very…
Read moreRead more about Welcome back