An immersive learning programme that allows students to explore the world of net zero has been added to Scotland’s qualifications framework.

Future Stewards: The Net Zero World, created by The Verdancy Group, is now on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at level four with one credit point. 

The group, based in East Calder, received Scottish Government funding to have the qualification credit rated to the SCQF. Organisations that own qualifications with a Learning for Sustainability (LfS) focus had been invited to bid for the funding to cover the costs of credit rating. The funding was administered by the SCQF Partnership and five organisations, including The Verdancy Group, were successful.

Experience

The group is an education and skills provider, dedicated to helping organisations in their journey toward achieving net zero. Having previously created the Waste in the Circular Economy Award, at SCQF Level 5, it has valuable experience designing qualifications. The group offers a diverse range of programmes related to sustainability, net zero, and the circular economy.

The Future Stewards: The Net Zero World qualification is taught through an immersive learning experience to help students understand key sustainability topics. It aims to inspire learners to make real changes that help create a more sustainable future.

Students explore 10 key themes, including:

• biodiversity and ecology;
• the preservation of water resources;
• navigating the circular economy;
• striking a balance in nutrition and waste reduction;
• sustainable travel and transport;
• financial literacy for a sustainable tomorrow;
• crafting sustainable lifestyles;
• shaping a sustainable future through technology;
• conscious decision-making for a planet-friendly impact; and
• empowering youth as leaders of change.

The content is mapped to LfS and Curriculum for Excellence principles.

‘A fantastic addition’

Nicola Smith, SCQF Partnership Lead for Projects and Employer Support, said: “This short course provides a great introduction to a range of key topics in the area of sustainability. It’s a fantastic addition to the range of courses available on the SCQF, providing learners with a recognised qualification and inspiring them to consider the importance of sustainable choices in all aspects of life.”

Susan McSeveney, Director at The Verdancy Group, added: “We hold a deep appreciation for the meticulous due diligence and robust quality assurance that a credit rated programme brings.

“We firmly believe that this enhances the overall value for both facilitators and learners alike. We recognise formal acknowledgment as a meaningful exchange for the time invested in learning, and we endorse the SCQF credit rating as a supportive mechanism in this process.

“The programme will be actively championed through our extensive networks, including partnerships with Education Scotland, educational institutions, youth work organisations, social work entities, and third-sector collaborators. This strategic promotion aims to ensure widespread visibility and accessibility for learners across diverse sectors.”

A recognised qualification

Andrew Lamond, director of The Energy Training Academy CIC, which will offer the qualification, commented: “The ability to add a recognised, and levelled qualification to our school and entry-level programmes here at the Academy is great. 

“Working with The Verdancy Group has been invaluable. Their expertise, resources, and commitment to excellence have truly enhanced the quality and impact of our educational offerings.”

Book your place

To find out more about the programme, arrange training or book places, contact The Verdancy Group at learning@theverdancygroup.com

Students wanting to learn about biodiversity can now study a recognised qualification at SCQF level 4.

‘Biodiversity Action’ was added to Scotland’s framework for qualifications after programme owner Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) received funding for credit rating.

The funding was administered by the SCQF Partnership on behalf of the Scottish Government. The aim of the investment was to increase the range of Learning for Sustainability (LfS) qualifications on the SCQF. It’s hoped this will help young people learn and build the skills needed for future green jobs.

It follows on from a report the SCQF Partnership created for the government in 2021 which identified the barriers faced by organisations that want their LfS programmes added to the SCQF.

Several applications were received for the recent round of funding, and eight of the bids were successful, including KSB.

Striving to inspire change

KSB aims to inspire environmental action. Its vision is for a clean, green, sustainable nation and it works across Scotland to help combat climate change, reduce litter and waste, restore nature and biodiversity and improve places.  

It strives to inspire changes in behaviour to improve our environment, the quality of people’s lives, their wellbeing and the places that they care for. 

The Biodiversity Action programme supports Scotland’s net zero ambitions and aims to develop understanding of biodiversity and local and global threats, encouraging action to prevent biodiversity loss.

Course aims

Aimed at secondary school pupils, the course will help young people develop their knowledge of key biodiversity concepts on how the natural world works and how we are dependent on its healthy functioning. It will build awareness of what positive action they might take to address the causes of biodiversity loss and skills to plan action for a nature positive future.

In creating an action plan to target causes of biodiversity loss, learners will develop skills that will help them construct social, systemic and physical changes to create a nature-positive legacy for the school, the community and themselves.

What’s involved

Students will develop:

• awareness and understanding of the causes and consequences of biodiversity loss.
• a personal connection to the natural world. 
• motivation to take action to address biodiversity loss through changed behaviours, systems and physical spaces.

The course, which has 1 credit point, is particularly relevant to staff with responsibility for learning for sustainability, outdoor learning, and green careers. It is deliverable over one term through a minimum of 12.5 hours.

Material is primarily delivered by the class teacher, with optional support from a KSB trainer. Summative student work is shared with the trainer electronically, who will mark it and provide feedback for the students.

Nicola Smith, SCQF Partnership Lead for Projects and Employer Support, said: “It is great to see an increasing number and range of courses for young people on the SCQF that have a Learning for Sustainability focus. This will provide teachers and youth leaders with the tools they need to build a growing understanding of, and interest in, Learning for Sustainability topics among our young people, building the skills and understanding needed in our future workforce to face the significant challenges ahead.”

Eve Keepax, Senior Officer, Education and Learning at Keep Scotland Beautiful, added: “We’re excited to add this Biodiversity Action course to the Keep Scotland Beautiful Climate Action Schools programme. Both the biodiversity and climate change crises are intertwined and cannot be resolved in isolation. We tend to take action on things we care about so the course offers young people an opportunity to develop their own connection to the natural world alongside their academic learning. It also provides a framework to support students to develop their ideas on what they want to change, and different ways to achieve it. Beyond the immediate benefit to schools and candidates of a relevant qualification, I am looking forward to seeing biodiversity action projects emerging across Scotland, led by students energised by the course in a spirit of discovery, wonder and agency.”

For more information on the Learning for Sustainability projects, contact Nicola Smith.

To learn more about the KSB qualification, visit Biodiversity Action.