SQA Accreditation Improvement Plans

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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Review of Lapsing Period • Review of SVQs: +300 qualifications across all sectors Level Max Range • SVQ 1 11 – 38 • SVQ 2 17 – 209 9% at +100 • SVQ 3 38 – 422 75% between 50 - 150 • SVQ 4 61 – 213 72% at +100 • SVQ 5 102 – 207

5. Review of Lapsing Period • Recommended periods for SVQs: Level Period Rationale • SVQ 1 / SCQF 4 1 year Maximum 38 • SVQ 2 / SCQF 5 1-2 Years 91% > 100 • SVQ 3 / SCQF 6-7 2-4 Years Maj. 50-150 • SVQ 4 / SCQF 8-9 2-4 Years Maj. 100-200 • SVQ 5 / SCQF 11 2-4 years Maj. 100-200

6. 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

7. Review of Lapsing Period • Credit an important indicator of completion time • Consider SCQF Level • proposed ranges: • SCQF Level 4 1 year • SCQF Level 5 1-2 years • SCQF Levels 6-11 2-4 years • Accreditation submissions define lapsing period with rationale, to be agreed with Accreditation Manager • AC2 form and guidance to be updated accordingly

8. 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

9. 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?

10. 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

11. 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…

12. Contact Details Andy Crone Senior Accreditation Manager SQA Accreditation 0345 213 5252 andrew.crone@sqa.org.uk