launch of revised group awards hnc/d accounting hnc/d administration and information technology...

Launch of Revised Group AwardsLaunch of Revised Group Awards

HNC/D AccountingHNC/D Administration and Information TechnologyHNC/D Business

Programme for the dayProgramme for the day

10.25 HN Group Awards: Strategic Overview

10.45 HN Group Awards: Development Overview

11.30 E Learning and Assessment

12.15 Lunch

13.15 Workshop session 1

14.00 Tea/Coffee

14.15 Workshop session 2

15.00 The way forward

15.15 Close

Gordon Rodgers

Head of Service

Qualifications Development Directorate

Industry & Business

0845 213 5390

gordon.rodgers@sqa.org.uk

Importance of HNs to Scotland and its Economy

Importance of HNs to Scotland and its Economy

– Key entry mechanism to employment and HEI– Meet needs of employers nationally and

locally– Develop skills, knowledge and understanding– In many cases professional body recognition– Over 80 years old – strong identity– 249 HN courses

Higher National - ModernisationHigher National - Modernisation

Modernisation – 2004 The themes of the Modernisation Project were:

modernisation; rationalisation; improvement of quality and consistency

Reduction of assessment demand Modernisation did bring benefits; however, did

present centres with challenges Recognised that ongoing work would be

required

HNs – Business SuiteHNs – Business Suite

Delivered through a strong partnership between

SQA, Scotland’s colleges and other

stakeholders including SSCs

Review strengthened this partnership

Ensure qualifications retained market position

Review of HN in Business SuiteReview of HN in Business Suite Ensure techniques, knowledge and skills kept

pace with changing world Reduced assessment More flexible approach Retained the standard and quality Graded units Rationalisation of units and content

Looking forward – SQA and Key Partners will address:Looking forward – SQA and Key Partners will address:

Assessment HN Key Partners’ Group Interagency working Qualifications Support Teams Communication Marketing and Promotion

Special thanks to those colleges who actively supported the review via QRTSpecial thanks to those colleges who actively supported the review via QRT

Langside

Central

Reid Kerr

Forth Valley

Adam Smith

Dundee

Ayr

Angus

Lews Castle

Stevenson

Dumfries &

Galloway

Perth UHI

Jewel & Esk

Shetland

James Watt

Lead ConsultantsLead Consultants

Accounting – Liz Macfadyen, Reid Kerr College Administration & IT - Paula White, Dumfries &

Galloway College Business - David Marshall, Langside College

SQA teamSQA team

Sharon O’Neil – Qualifications Manager Tony Hamilton – Qualifications Officer Linda Meikle – Qualifications Officer

Development overviewDevelopment overview

HistoryHistory

Review started November 2007 Consultation through:

- HN comment forms

- Feedback from QSTs

- GA specific questionnaires – to scope review

- 3 Network Events 2007, 2008 and 2009

- Employer questionnaires

- HEI correspondence

Scope of reviewScope of review

Reduce assessment load Better exemplify standards Increase flexibility of assessment Ensure compliance with the Disability

Discrimination Act Ensure Units are aligned to refreshed Core Skills

framework Improve Core Skills Guidance

Aspects to be consideredAspects to be considered

Positive response to consultations Recognition of NOS, where appropriate Articulation to Higher Education Institutions Recognition by Professional Bodies Revision of PDAs Operationalisation of revised Group Awards

Volume of work requiredVolume of work required

Number of Units

- Mandatory

- Optional Number of Assessment Exemplars Range of Cognate Groups Number of college staff actively involved

Resulting in…Resulting in…

6 New Group Awards:

- HNC/D Accounting

- HNC/D Admin & IT

- HNC/D Business All successfully validated January/February

2010

Information availableInformation available

Arrangements Documents Group Award Frameworks Units on SQA website Assessment Exemplars on SQA secure Update Letters

HN subject pages to be updated on an ongoing basis….

Important remindersImportant reminders

Correct use of Group Award codes Lapsing dates for existing Group Awards:

- HNC 3 years

- HND 4 years Correct use of HN Unit codes

Maintenance and revision ongoing….

ContactContact

Linda Meikle Tel: 0845 213 5466

Email: linda.meikle@sqa.org.uk

Tony Hamilton Tel: 0845 213 5467

Email: tony.hamilton@sqa.org.uk

Sharon O’Neil Tel: 0845 213 5466

Email: sharon.o’neil@sqa.org.uk