2. Launch of Revised Group Awards HNC/D Accounting HNC/D Administration and Information Technology HNC/D Business

3. Programme for the day 10.25HN Group Awards: Strategic Overview 10.45HN Group Awards: Development Overview 11.30E Learning and Assessment 12.15Lunch 13.15Workshop session 1 14.00Tea/Coffee 14.15Workshop session 2 15.00The way forward 15.15Close

4. Gordon Rodgers Head of Service Qualifications Development Directorate Industry & Business 0845 213 5390 gordon.rodgers@sqa.org.uk

5. 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

6. Higher 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

7. HNs – Business Suite Delivered through a strong partnership between SQA, Scotlands colleges and other stakeholders including SSCs Review strengthened this partnership Ensure qualifications retained market position

8. Review 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

9. Looking forward – SQA and Key Partners will address: Assessment HN Key Partners Group Interagency working Qualifications Support Teams Communication Marketing and Promotion

10. Special 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

11. Lead Consultants Accounting – Liz Macfadyen, Reid Kerr College Administration & IT - Paula White, Dumfries & Galloway College Business - David Marshall, Langside College

12. SQA team Sharon ONeil – Qualifications Manager Tony Hamilton – Qualifications Officer Linda Meikle – Qualifications Officer

13. Development overview

14. History 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

15. Scope 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

16. Aspects 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

17. Volume of work required Number of Units -Mandatory -Optional Number of Assessment Exemplars Range of Cognate Groups Number of college staff actively involved

18. Resulting in… 6 New Group Awards: -HNC/D Accounting -HNC/D Admin & IT -HNC/D Business All successfully validated January/February 2010

19. Information 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….

20. Important 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….

21. Contact Linda MeikleTel: 0845 213 5466 Email: linda.meikle@sqa.org.uk Tony HamiltonTel: 0845 213 5467 Email: tony.hamilton@sqa.org.uk Sharon ONeilTel: 0845 213 5466 Email: sharon.oneil@sqa.org.uk