Curriculum for Excellence: Vocational learning through SQA’s National Qualification Group Awards

This seminar presents activity in schools and colleges which provides learners with vocational skills and experiences through delivery of SQA National Qualification Group Awards (NQGAs) National Certificates (NCs) and National Progression Awards (NPAs).

NQGAs were launch by SQA in Autumn 2006. They offer a coherent portfolio of vocational qualifications at SCQF levels 2 to 6 and are designed to provoide progression to courses in further and higher education such as Higher National Certificates and Diplomas. Their broad based mix of applied knowledge and practice complements and provides progression from SQA's Skills for Work courses. Where appropriate, National Courses at Intermediate 1 and 2 and Higher can count towards the group award.

Available now, National Qualification Group Awards help learners develop Core Skills and provide opportunities for the development of skills for life, skills for work and skills for learning – the broad skills set identified as supporting Curriculum for Excellence aims and purposes. For example, development of employability skills is a strong feature of the awards.

SQA is pleased to provide the opportunity to hear how these qualifications are being used, through the testimony of practitioners in schools and colleges and how these and other SQA qualifications can underpin Scotland's Skills Strategy and the early adoption of Curriculum for Excellence.