Review of 2022
It’s become something of a custom for me to end the year with a review of the year so I’ll do that today since SQA closes tomorrow for Christmas.
I kicked-off the year with a post about Next Gen when I announced the start of the second phase of developments that involved HND Computer Science, HND Networking & Cloud Infrastructure, and HND Software Development. This work has undoubtedly been the team’s biggest project this year. Amy joined the team (to replace Helen) at this time and she has been the lead officer for the Next Gen work. Walter joined the team in February as the Subject Implementation Manager (SIM) for Computing. The first meeting of the Qualification Development Team took place in March. I provided regular updates throughout the year. We’ve made a lot of progress and the new qualifications will be ready early next year (for piloting in August 2023).
We began the pilot of the new HNC Computing in August. Two colleges are offering the modernised qualification this year on a pilot basis. I’ve not posted anything about the pilot because, at this time, it’s a private initiative between SQA and the two volunteer colleges. But I can say that it appears to be going well. We will, of course, have a lot more to say about it in the future.
That same month (January) I announced that we planned to develop a National Progression Award in Esports at SCQF Levels 4, 5 and 6. The first meeting of the Qualification Development Team took place in February. The qualification was validated in July with some conditions, which I’ll say more about later.
We also developed new Competence Based Qualifications (CBQs) during 2022. This is a large SDS-led initiative that will replace all of the current CBQs over the next 12-18 months. Three new Level 8 diplomas were completed in August and made available in October.
Another important development was the creation of a suite of National Units relating to data skills. Three new National Units were completed in April. I was particularly pleased about these units since, I felt, they were sort-of SQA’s response to the pandemic by providing essential data skills to learners. The units were published in May.
We also developed a new entry-level National Unit in Cyber Security, a development that commenced in April and ended in November.
I can’t remember a busier year since I joined SQA in 2000. Although it’s been a highly productive year, there were some disappointments such as the length of time it took to complete some developments, which is something the team will consider when we return after the holiday.
Amy, Megan, Walter and me wish you all a Merry Christmas.
