Review of 2021
The big change this year has been changes in the team. Emma got a new job in February and was replaced by Megan in April. Helen was promoted in October and replaced by Amy in December. So the team going into 2022 will be me, Amy and Megan. Amy will introduce herself when she formally commences on 5 January.
The year commenced and ended with the modernisation of Higher National Qualifications (“Next Gen HN”). In early January I provided an update about progress with this work and at the end of December I gave some good news about the Computing qualifications that will be developed during 2022.
In February I announced the availability of teaching and learning materials for NPA Data Science and alternative assessments for NPA Cyber Security. March brought some bad news with the closure of GroupSpaces, which we had used for several years as a mailing list. It’s been a loss and I feel that communications have suffered as a result. We moved to Yammer in April in an effort to replace GroupSpaces but I know that that’s had mixed results. June was a busy month with the annual meeting of the Qualification Support Team, new assessments for NPA Data Science and the announcement of new National Units in Data Skills.
The second half of the year commenced with an announcement about a new CBQ qualification at SCQF Level 8 entitled Diploma in Digital Technology, which will replace the current Diploma in Data Analytics and Diploma in Information Security. Then, as now, we were looking for people to volunteer for our various committees. September saw the annual Sector Panel meeting. The Quality Network event was held in October for centres that deliver SVQs. The annual meeting of External Verifiers took place in November, when I also announced a delay in the creation of the Data Skills units. Which brings us back to this month.
Of course, 2021 will be remembered most of all for Covid, which has affected all our lives. We provided guidance throughout the year. The team has been working from home since March 2020 but, hopefully, there will be a return to the office next year.
The team hope you have a nice holiday and we look forward to working with you next year.
