SQA customised awards allow organisations to decide the content and structure of a qualification, with SQA helping them with the development, external quality assurance and certification. Organisations can design their own qualifications that are unique and meet business needs, with flexibility on content and qualification structure.
A customised award can be integrated with existing business and staff development processes. It offers a large range of benefits, from achieving business objectives and increasing skill levels, to providing development opportunities for employees and providing an official credit rating for the qualification on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
Building qualifications for increasing demand
SELECT is the trade association for the electrical contracting industry in Scotland, delivering over 3,500 training courses to electricians every year. Based in Midlothian, it is Scotland’s largest construction trade association and one of the oldest to represent the modern trades.
With the need for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations continuously increasing, SELECT dedicated much of 2023 to creating a comprehensive EV charge point installation course, ensuring that the safety and efficiency of installations was at its core. The course was shaped by member feedback and culminated in the creation of the SQA customised award in Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installations (SCQF level 7).
The one-day module, adaptable for in-person or online delivery, addresses the evolving demands of the industry and is suitable for all qualified electricians. By the end of the course, learners will understand and be able to design and install domestic, commercial and industrial electrical vehicle charging installations, and receive an SQA and SELECT joint certificate. Aims of the course include:
- Understanding the key requirements relating to EV charging equipment.
- Gaining the skills for designing and installing EV charging circuits.
- Gaining knowledge for the requirements for inspection, testing, commissioning, maintenance and handover of EV charging equipment and circuits.
Positive feedback
Shaun Taylor, a SELECT member, completed the course when it first launched. He commented, “The course was very interesting, and I learned a great deal about charging modes and options, costs and installation and potential issues.”
Another participant added, “It was a good comprehensive course. There is a lot to learn in one day, but if you do the study beforehand, it’s definitely manageable.”
Fiona Harper, Director of Employment & Skills at SELECT, believes SQA customised awards are of significant value.
She said: “These qualifications are a real mark of quality and have a currency that both learners and employers relate to. During development, we took the opportunity to redesign our training material and delivery methods to ensure that each of the courses meets the needs of the industry.
“From a learner perspective, it provides them with an SQA and SELECT joint certificate, enabling them to demonstrate the quality of the training to employers. The numbers of candidates going through the customised awards is continuously growing and are a testament to how much the industry values them.”
Theresa McGowan, Regional Manager at SQA, is delighted with the difference SQA and SELECT are making to the electrical industry in Scotland.
She said: “I’ve worked with SELECT for a number of years and I am delighted to see that their commitment to providing high quality skills and training for electricians is going from strength to strength.
“SQA customised awards give our customers the flexibility to design their own qualifications, to a high quality, specific to their needs. Our dedicated Business Development and Customised Awards teams can support a variety of private, public and third sector organisations to meet their training needs.”
Find out more about how customised awards can benefit organisations at https://www.sqa.org.uk/customisedawards.
