Advertising Feature


Working with SQA


Business support from Scotland’s national awarding and accreditation body


a wide range of high-quality, widely recognised qualifications and assessment services. That was one of the main draws


A


for QA Ltd, a UK-wide provider of vocational training programmes and apprenticeships. The team at QA chose to work with SQA because prospective candidates would already be familiar with SQA branding, as well as the awards and qualifications they offer, and the currency they have with employers. Speaking at their office on Renfield Street in Glasgow, David Hannah (pictured above left), Head of Delivery Apprenticeships at QA Ltd, says: “We felt that as a Scotland-based training provider, we should be working with Scotland’s awarding body. For us, that was the correct thing to do.” David continues: “Delivering in


a devolved area, we wanted the qualifications we offer to have a distinctive Scottish identity, and our candidates said they already had an understanding of who SQA is, and what a qualification awarded by them means. We were able to capitalise on that recognition, and deliver courses that were valuable to our clients and the candidates.” Derek Houston, SQA’s Regional Manager for Glasgow, explains: “Young people are familiar with SQA through their time at school or college, but what they may be less familiar with is the wide portfolio of work-based and vocational qualifications that SQA has developed. Employers, training providers and colleges across the country deliver SQA qualifications. That familiarity helps them understand their currency.” But as a business, QA sought more than just buy-in from their customers. They wanted to be certain they would


s Scotland’s national awarding and accreditation body, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) provides


have a productive relationship with SQA. David continues: “We knew that


SQA have one of their offices close to our training centre in Glasgow, and we knew we would be assigned a dedicated regional manager, who would be available to work with us, and would be flexible to our requirements. We were also conscious that our own staff were familiar with delivering SQA qualifications, recognised the brand and associated standards, and how best to engage students with it. “Familiarity with SQA products and


services also meant that we were in a position to better advise our clients of the most appropriate pathways for their staff. Without the foundation of the relationship we have with Derek and the rest of the team at SQA, we wouldn’t be able to offer the services or the standards that we do.” Derek adds: “The geographic closeness allows us to strengthen our working relationship. David and I talk regularly about his business, and how we can support their needs, whether that’s long-term strategic goals, or simply chatting over an issue or a point of detail to make QA’s day-to-day activities run that bit smoother.” The relationship is cemented further


by the opportunities to shape the qualifications SQA develops. Derek explains: “SQA qualifications are not developed in isolation, we don’t just come up with them on our own. We work closely with employers, training providers, and sector specialists, and when a new opportunity arises, we bring these people together to structure our qualifications so they address the needs of industry.” “And that’s


one of the main


appeals of www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com 5


working with SQA,” says David. “We hear from our clients about their needs and requirements, and we see first-hand from the training room how our courses are received by candidates. To have that insight, and then have the chance to work with the body responsible to shape the next iteration of those awards is a fantastic opportunity for our business.” David adds: “Having SQA in our


corner is a key component of our success. Having their branding on our literature helps us sell our services to our clients, but more importantly having the relationship with the team at SQA means we’re in a stronger position to better serve our customers, and to provide them with the support and guidance about the options that best match their and their learners’ needs.”


For more information about how your business could work with SQA, call 0303 333 0330, or visit www.sqa.org.uk/WorkWithUs


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