2. Improving Business Performance The Role of Learning and Qualifications John Dick 21 April 2006

3. A Brief History  Awards UK Ltd: a joint venture between SQA and Edexcel  Created in 1997 to meet the needs of the British Army for a ‘UK solution’  Provides a single contact point for large organisations wishing access to the range of SQA and Edexcel qualifications

4. How is L&D linked to qualifications? Assessment Business Objectives Individual Recognition !! OUTPUTS Development Plans INPUTS

5. How Will This Research Help? Business Objectives Development Skills Development Strategy Delivery “Drivers” ? Demand ? “JUST ENOUGH, JUST IN TIME, JUST FOR ME!”

6. Questions Surrounding Recognising Skills  What gets measured: Inputs vs. Outputs?  What’s a qualification?  What’s involved in Assessment?  What’s in it for the company and the individual?  Short term fix or part of a longer term strategy?  Is training and recognition aimed at: professions/technicians/managers?

7. Pearson plc How it Looks SQA  Develop  Accred  Awarding SQA  Develop  Accred  Awarding Awards UK Edexcel UK Employers Learner s QCA + SQA Regulators

8. What we Deliver ‘One-stop shop' - access SQA & Edexcel’s:  qualifications - single data collection and administrative system  approval system (centre and qualifications)  verification system Benefits of using a one stop shop include:  Easy access to your account manager  Quick and accurate advice  Lower costs

9. Some of Our Centres  Stagecoach UK Bus  Robert Wiseman Dairies  Salvesen Logistics  Mackays Stores  Infantry Training Centre Catterick  RM Commando Training Centre  Defence School of Transport

10. “Products” and Services  NVQs + Key Skills+ Technical Certs =  Apprenticeship  SVQ + Core Skills =  Scottish MA  Customised Qualifications  “Kitemarked”/Endorsed Training

11. Contact Details: John Dick Awards UK Ltd +44 (0)845 213 5580 John.dick@sqa.org.uk www.awardsuk.org.uk

13. Qualifications Development Process  to meet the needs of customers who wish to have their in-house training and development programmes accredited  Development steps: –research/consultation –Qualifications design –Qualifications development –Validation –Launch/implementation  Optional: award credit rated and levelled

14. What is an Awarding Body? Responsibilities include:  devise, develop, validate, accredit and review qualifications  approve employers and training providers to deliver qualifications  quality assure assessments  support assessment process  issue certificates