Successful SCQF Conference Linking the Learning Journey
On Thursday 22 February 2018, 230 participants from 142 organisations from 13 countries gathered in Glasgow for SCQF: Linking the Learning Journey; a conference which aimed to showcase all aspects of the Framework, demonstrating its breadth and flexibility as a tool to facilitate lifelong learning in Scotland. It also focused on how the SCQF supports Scottish Government policy such as The Learner Journey, Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) and the Commission on Widening Access.
The conference, hosted by Paul McKelvie OBE, former Scotland Commissioner to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, brought together a wide range of SCQF stakeholders from sectors as diverse as schools, colleges, universities, Credit Rating Bodies, employers, local authorities, parents, private training providers, Community Learning and Development, international framework owners and, very importantly, learners, for whom the SCQF was originally envisioned.
The conference showcased the range of uses of the SCQF and featured a variety of inspirational speakers such as Audrey Cumberford, Principal and Chief Executive of West College Scotland, Grahame Smith, General Secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, Professor Sir Peter Scott, Scotland’s Commissioner for Fair Access and Darren McGarvey aka Loki the Scottish Rapper, with John Swinney MSP, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, providing the keynote address.
During his speech, Mr Swinney acknowledged the importance of the SCQF to Scottish Government policy saying that, “The Framework is central to our approach to education.”
He also told the conference that, “The SCQF enables us to tabulate the learner journey, allowing young people to navigate their way through the education system.” He added, “The SCQF is an absolutely dependable single reference point for everyone, no matter where they are from.”
Mr Swinney also presented prizes to representatives from two secondary schools, Clydebank High School and Bearsden Academy – the winners of a competition organised by the SCQF Partnership for SCQF School Ambassadors.
One of the highlights of the day was a presentation from two lifelong learners who have both used the SCQF in their learning journeys. Jon Wallace, now a nurse in the Orthopaedics Department at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, completed the SQCF level 6 Access to Nursing Scottish Wider Access Programme, which helped him on his way to fulfilling his dream of becoming a nurse. Lisa Thomson, currently in the Honours year of her SCQF level 10 International Business and Human Resources degree at Glasgow Caledonian University used SCQF credit transfer from her HND to secure entry into year 3 of the degree.
Delegates also had the opportunity to participate in two workshops at the event with contributions from facilitators such as Clydebank High School, City of Glasgow College, Education Scotland, University of Glasgow and Scottish Government.
The event was sponsored by valued SCQF stakeholder organisations: City & Guilds, the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), the Scottish Training Federation (STF) Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and YouthLink Scotland. Tes Scotland is media sponsor for the event.
Conference Presentations
*Click on the title to download pdf version
Fair Access to Education – Prof Sir Peter Scott
SCQF Simplifying Pathways – Audrey Cumberford West College Scotland
Workshop Presentations
1. Connecting the Curriculum, Linzi Mackel – Principal Teacher of Guidance, Bearsden Academy and Lynne Allison, Curriculum Leader of Raising Attainment and Wider Achievement, Clydebank High School
2. Third Party – The Final Frontier, George McVerry, Head of Client Development and Lifelong Learning, City of Glasgow College – Jackie McCabe, Director of Training, Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) – Andrew Horrell, Programme Director for MA in Physical Education, Edinburgh University – Dave Renouf, International & Educational Development Manager, British Association of Snowsport Instructors (BASI)
3. Learning Unlimited (Part 1), Klaus Mayer – Development Officer, Education Scotland and Learning Unlimited (Part 2) Alex Cumming – Assistant Director, The Duke of Edinburgh, Scotland
4. Employing the SCQF, Alan Purvis – Learning and Development Manager, Aegon UK, Sheena Greco, Principal Educator, Educational Development Team, and Gail Dennett, Learning and Development Lead – NHS Scotland
5. Stairway to HEaven – Dr Neil Croll, Head of Widening Participation, University of Glasgow – Dr Wendy Beautyman, Lecturer Researcher Development & Support, Queen Margaret University – Fiona Garry, School Enhancement Developer, University of the West of Scotland
6. Earn, Learn and Link: The Apprenticeship Family – Jane Duffy, Policy and MA Advisory Board Manager, Skills Development Scotland
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