When recruiting staff, how you specify the level of skill or competence that you need for a particular role is important. Whilst there are jobs that do require specific qualifications such as those in healthcare or engineering, many are broader in their requirements. Despite this, employers often ask for specific qualifications such as a degree or equivalent, or a specific number of Highers or equivalent. Understanding what that ‘equivalent’ might be is essential to maximising the range and diversity of your potential applicants.

At the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership; the national qualifications framework for Scotland, we work with a wide range of awarding bodies, professional bodies and other programme owners to ensure a variety of different types of learning is recognised on the Framework, and to extend the recognition of informal and non-formal learning.


By using SCQF levels in your recruitment processes instead of specific qualifications, you can significantly widen your pool of applicants, who may have a wealth of skills and experience, or alternative qualifications, at the required level. This ensures you get the best range of suitable candidates for your job roles. Ensuring people are working at the right level and are utilising their skills also helps with employee morale and retention.