This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Funding for 'future language of education'
16/12/2002
The Executive's decision to invest an additional £1.5m in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) over the next three years will significantly boost lifelong learning in Scotland, a conference in Glasgow was told today.
Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Iain Gray told academics and business leaders at the second annual SCQF conference that the new standardised credit based sytem of learning will encourage people to be more flexible in their approach to education - ensuring that access to training and learning fits in with people's working lives.
The new system brings all mainstream Scottish qualifications into a single credit-based system whereby learners can pursue, and have recognised, flexible learning pathways according to their individual needs. The SCQF will allow learners to carry credit in relevant subjects between different qualifications at all levels.
Speaking at the conference, the Minister said:
"I am absolutely delighted to be able to announce this significant increase in funding for the SCQF in Scotland.
"A vital part of our ecomic strategy for getting Scotland growing again is ensuring that every person has access to the very best in learning and training - equipping them for the jobs of tomorrow. This will only happen if we put in place the conditions that allow people to access the skills and development that they need to enter the job market - or move up the job ladder.
"The SCQF makes learning more accessible by encouraging flexibility. As jobs change and working patterns continue to change this will mean that more and more the way in which learning is delivered will be of paramount importance to people.
"This new money that I have allocated to the scheme will ensure its implementation and censure that all qualifications will be a part of the framework - not just the mainstream ones.
"By doing this we are making the SCGF the future language of education in Scotland."
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) is a joint initiative of Universities Scotland, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in Scotland (QAA), the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and the Scottish Executive.
The Framework comprises of 12 levels covering all mainstream Scottish qualifications from Higher Still Access level to postgraduate qualifications provided in schools, further education and higher education; and work-based Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). Credits are allocated to individual qualifications according to their "size" in terms of notional learning hours (1 credit point for each 10 hours of learner effort, assuming a 1200 hour learning year).
The Framework is designed to make the Scottish qualifications system easier to understand for leavers, employees, employers and providers, including the relationships between qualifications. It will help learners to plan progress towards their learning and career goals; and also to transfer credits from one qualification towards another where relevant
A Joint Advisory Committee, representing key stakeholders in education and employment in Scotland, is overseeing the development of the framework, under the chairmanship of Dr Andrew Cubie CBE. The implementation of the SCQF is being taken forward by the SCQF Implementation Group, chaired by Heather Jones, Head of the Skills and Learning Opportunities Division in the Scottish Executive.
The SCQF Implementation Plan has been launched at the SCQF Conference today. The plan details the method for taking forward the SCQF and the timescale for work to be completed, including the expansion of the framework to incorporate further types of learning including, professional qualifications, community learning, and further vocational qualifications.
A new SCQF website will be up and running by the end of January 2003.
Further information about the SCQF can be obtained from Lorraine Judge, SCQF Development Officer, on 0141 242 2429.