The variety of qualifications that have been attained give learners a wide range of skills, knowledge and understanding in a wealth of subject areas, many of which have even given them experience of working with a local employer.
While for some learners their results support them in taking the next step in their education journey, for others their results enable them to enter the workplace. This might be to start a job or take an apprenticeship or internship that includes a mix of work and learning.
Whatever path they take, they – and you – can have full confidence in the standard and credibility of their qualifications.
Qualifications for everyone
In addition to National, Higher and Advanced Higher courses, SQA offers a wide range of qualifications, in a variety of different sectors.
The total number of National Progression Awards, National Certificates, Skills for Work, and SQA Awards rose by 24.8% to 90,035. This marks a record-breaking year for vocational qualifications, as Scotland’s learners excelled in achieving valuable skills to build rewarding careers.
The increasing breadth of qualifications has clearly captured the imagination of learners across Scotland – including in areas such as Business with Information Technology, Computer Games Development, Electrical Engineering, Employability, Exercise and Fitness Leadership, Health and Social Care, Modern Languages for Life and Work, Photography, Sports Fitness and Travel and Tourism.
National Certificates (NCs) and National Progression Awards (NPAs) develop skills much sought after by employers, and prepare people for employment, career development or educational progression. NPAs are linked to National Occupational Standards and are delivered in partnership with schools, colleges and employers. There are NCs and NPAs in subject areas as diverse as Computing Science, Employability, Hair and Beauty and Sports Education.
Skills for Work courses focus on generic employability skills needed for the workplace. The courses place emphasis on experiential and practical learning, giving young people an understanding of the workplace and attitudes towards work. These courses are available in areas including Early Learning and Childcare, Hospitality and Travel and Tourism.
SQA Awards are practice-based work qualifications for specific sectors, providing skills and recognition for a diverse range of learners. They’re available in areas including British Sign Language, Customer Service, Forestry/Timber Production and Health and Social Care, among many others.
Foundation Apprenticeships give learners the opportunity to gain experience of the workplace and achieve a valuable qualification while still being at school, with over 80 SQA centres across Scotland approved to offer them. They are a work-based learning opportunity for secondary school pupils usually starting in S5. Young people can spend time out of school with a local employer and complete the Foundation Apprenticeship alongside their more traditional courses.
Further information
Find out more about Foundation Apprenticeships and SQA qualifications.
