SQA Accreditation Improvement Plans Andy Crone Senior Accreditation Manager 24 March 2014

Continual Improvement Phased and focussed approach: strategic analysis and planning; definition of Operational Plan; cascades to objectives, targets and projects definition Internal and external environment ISO9001 values and approach Review and improve processes and procedures Initial areas of focus: –Review of Lapsing Periods –Revised Credit Rating Guidance

Review of Lapsing Period Project group review of policy, processes and procedures Are lapsing periods necessary? Lapsing periods for accredited qualifications currently assigned by: –SVQs by level –Other qualifications in line with SVQ level –Regulatory qualifications as relevant and agreed by the industry regulatory body

Review of Lapsing Period Review of SVQs: +300 qualifications across all sectors LevelMax Range SVQ 111 – 38 SVQ 217 – 2099% at +100 SVQ 338 – 42275% between SVQ 461 – 21372% at +100 SVQ – 207

Review of Lapsing Period Recommended periods for SVQs: LevelPeriodRationale SVQ 1 / SCQF 41 year Maximum 38 SVQ 2 / SCQF 51-2 Years91% > 100 SVQ 3 / SCQF YearsMaj SVQ 4 / SCQF YearsMaj SVQ 5 / SCQF yearsMaj

Review of Lapsing Period Recommended periods for other qualifications: –Other qualifications: type of qualification can define lapsing period on occasion short period, eg. week long courses Awarding body to propose and provide rationale? –Regulatory qualifications: As currently, relevant and as agreed by the industry regulatory body

Review of Lapsing Period Credit an important indicator of completion time Consider SCQF Level –proposed ranges: SCQF Level 41 year SCQF Level 51-2 years SCQF Levels years Accreditation submissions define lapsing period with rationale, to be agreed with Accreditation Manager AC2 form and guidance to be updated accordingly

Revised Credit Rating Guidance Credit Rating project group review of processes and procedures Refreshed guidance document for SCQF Credit Rating of accredited qualifications Previously specific for SVQs Now applicable to all accredited qualifications Re-ordering of sequence, collated information regarding: –Levelling –Average Candidate –Credit Rating

Revised Credit Rating Guidance New guidance document provided in pack Plan to be available on line from 1 April 2014 Review of Approval Process for Credit Rating and Levelling Accredited Qualifications Any comments or feedback?

Revised Credit Rating Guidance SCQF Credit Rating service from SQA Accreditation Undertaken in conjunction with your Accreditation Manager We can host SCQF Credit Rating events in The Optima Building We are happy to host in alternative locations Consider seeking SCQF Credit Rating for all qualifications that you bring forward for accreditation

Further Improvement Activities AC2 form and guidance review and revision Approval Process for Credit Rating and Levelling Accredited Qualifications review Qualification development guidance documentation Good practice workshops with SSC consortia In line with future environmental requirements and considerations As identified by our customers and stakeholders…

Contact Details Andy Crone Senior Accreditation Manager SQA Accreditation