Awards
from SQA
Awards
SQA Awards are characterised by their fexible
nature and are nationally recognised. These
Awards are suitable for a wide range of people
at different stages.
They provide learners with opportunities to acquire
skills, recognise achievement and promote
confdence through independent thinking and
positive attitudes, while motivating learners
to be successful and participate positively
in the wider community.
The level of Award attained depends on the
quality of response and the amount of support
received by the learner.
Find out more about SQA’s Awards
at www.sqa.org.uk/awards
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Who are our Awards for?
The Awards may suit a wide range
of learners, including:
• Learners involved in educational
or training programmes
• Learners involved in community
or voluntary projects
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The table below shows how an Award is differentiated
across SCQF levels 2 – 6:
SCQF level
2 3
descriptor
The learner will frequent and directive
work with… directive support, ie the
support, ie the teacher/lecturer
teacher/lecturer will issue explicit
will issue explicit instructions
instructions/
provide
assistance
The learner respond and participate,
will… participate, ie agree
ie agree to ideas,
to ideas, suggestions
suggestions and plans
and plans
Tasks and very simple, basic, ie routine
activities will ie routine and and familiar
be… familiar and
supported/
supervised
4
4 5 6
support, ie the minimum non-directive
teacher/lecturer support, ie the supervision,
will offer advice teacher/lecturer ie learners
will respond will take
to specifc responsibility
questions from for their own
the learner learning but the
teacher/lecturer
may explain
and interpret
if requested
contribute, negotiate, take some
ie offer some ie put forward supervisory
ideas and/or suggestions and responsibility,
suggestions ideas and agree ie take the lead
a way forward in some aspects
of the work
straightforward, detailed, complex,
ie consisting ie consisting ie consisting
of routine of some routine of some
elements and non-routine non-routine
elements elements
5
Wider Achievement
SQA Awards are designed to recognise Wider
Achievement and the development of skills
which will help learners to succeed in today’s
world. Wider Achievement recognises the life
and work skills that come from a wide range of
activities which can include sport, mentoring,
voluntary work or fundraising activities —
whether they take place at school, college
or elsewhere.
We have a number of SQA Awards from SCQF
levels 1 to 6 — all suitable for a broad range
of learners.
Find out more at
www.sqa.org.uk/widerachievement
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Employability Awards Employability and
(SCQF Levels 3 and 4) Citizenship Award
SQA’s Employability Awards (SCQF Level 3)
are frmly focused on This Award is derived
preparing learners to enter the from a number of Scottish
world of work. These Awards Government initiatives
enable candidates to develop designed to enhance the
the solid job-seeking skills and development of employability
attitudes needed to get and skills in Scotland and with
keep a job. Learners are a focus on the achievements
encouraged to refect on their of learners, by linking three
achievements and identify specifc aspects of the
the appropriate behaviours learners’ development:
and attitudes that are personal development,
attractive to employers. employability and digital
literacy.
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Wider Achievement
NPA Enterprise and NPA Tenancy and
Employability Awards Citizenship
(SCQF Levels 4 and 5) (SCQF Level 4)
The National Progression The National Progression
Awards (NPAs) in Enterprise Award (NPA) in Tenancy
and Employability equip and Citizenship provides
learners with valuable skills learners with an opportunity
that are both relevant and to develop skills and
transferable. That means knowledge to help them
learning can be confdently to understand housing
taken forward into any choices, manage their
employment setting, fnances and eventually
including self-employment. get and keep a tenancy.
NPA Enterprise & Business Leadership Awards
(SCQF Level 6) (SCQF Levels 5 and 6)
The National Progression Building confdence and
Award (NPA) in Enterprise self-esteem, Leadership
and Business is relevant Awards develop the skills,
to anyone thinking about styles and qualities essential
starting a business. This for successfully leading
qualifcation focuses on a activities. Endorsed by the
pre-enterprise activity, with Chartered Management
the aim of developing the Institute, the Awards also
knowledge and skills needed stress the importance to the
to start a business. leadership role of respecting
differing cultures and beliefs.
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Modern Languages for Personal Achievement
Life and Work Awards Awards
(SCQF Levels 3 and 4) (SCQF Levels 1 and 2)
These Awards develop both SQA’s Personal Achievement
language and employability Awards recognise small but
skills, and allow learners to signifcant successes in
follow their own interests in a variety of areas. These
a cultural context. Focused Awards are ideal for learners
on practical life and work with special educational
applications, the Awards needs, and for organisations
deliver skills in either one working with learners who
or two modern languages. build up achievements in
Beyond language learning, small steps. The themes of
candidates are encouraged Developing Independence
to compare life in different and Taking Part in the
countries, enabling a greater Community help develop
understanding of their own confdence, independence
and others’ cultures. and communication skills.
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Wider Achievement
Personal Development Religion, Belief and
Awards Values Awards
(SCQF Levels 2 – 6) (SCQF Levels 3 – 6)
Personal Development Complementing National
Awards focus on developing Courses, these Awards
personal skills and abilities can be delivered during
as well as increasing statutory/core religious
knowledge of self through education in secondary
experiential learning. schools. Learners investigate
The Awards can help religion and beliefs, put
build self-confdence and their own beliefs and values
resilience, with learners into action, and refect
encouraged to take on their learning.
responsibility for their
own learning. Through
involvement in personal,
group and vocational
projects, learners can
develop valuable
interpersonal and task
management skills, practical
abilities and self-awareness.
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Scots Language Awards Steps to Work Awards
(SCQF Level 3 – 6) (SCQF Levels 3 and 4)
The Scots Language Awards The Steps to Work Awards
provides opportunities for help learners from school,
learners to study the history further education or
and development of the training make the leap
Scots language. It also into employment.
helps learners develop their Developing self-esteem,
ability to understand Scots self-awareness and
and communicate in the self-confdence, the Awards
Scots language. encourage learners to focus
on areas that interest them.
Scottish Studies Awards
Then, through practical
(SCQF Levels 4 and 5) activities, candidates develop
Scottish Studies Awards the skills to recognise their
enable learners to develop strengths and the contribution
their knowledge and they’ll make to society.
understanding of Scotland —
its people, society, culture,
natural environment and
heritage — and to make
connections across the
curriculum.
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Wider Achievement
Volunteering Skills Awards Wellbeing Awards
(SCQF Levels 3 – 5) (SCQF Levels 3 – 5)
Through participation The aim of the Wellbeing
in volunteering activities, Awards is to help learners
learners develop skills and explore factors that infuence
personal development well-being and encourage
experience — ideal them to undertake activities
preparation for further to improve it. These Awards
education and employment. take a holistic view of
Encouraging responsibility, well-being and provide
the Awards focus on the learners with an opportunity
context of volunteering to look at different ideas
and see learners planning of health and well-being
a volunteering placement, at a personal, community,
reviewing and refecting on societal or global level.
their skills and volunteering
experience, and completing
an investigative project.
Find out more at www.sqa.org.uk/widerachievement
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More Awards available from SQA
Culinary Ability: Customer Service Award:
Food Preparation Principles and Practices
(SCQF Level 4) (SCQF Level 5)
This Award is a practical This Award enables learners
qualifcation that provides to specialise in different
a foundation for learners who sectors as they develop
aspire to work in professional the knowledge and skills
kitchens. Focusing on food to deliver professional
hygiene and workplace health customer service. The
and safety; developing Award covers effective
practical skills, knowledge communication and
and understanding to identify, listening skills, creating
handle, prepare and store a a good impression with
wide range of food products. customers, dealing with
customers’ needs
Customer Service Award
effectively — including
(SCQF Level 5) customer dissatisfaction —
This Award develops skills, and understanding why
knowledge and understanding customer service is so
essential for providing important to an organisation.
professional customer service
by developing good
communication and effective
listening skills, enabling
learners to provide customers
with appropriate information
to meet their needs.
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More Awards available from SQA
Cycling Awards Learners will gain practical
(SCQF Levels 1 and 2) experience of protecting
personal digital devices.
These Awards equip learners
with the skills needed to Internet Safety
check, maintain and ride (Unit at SCQF Level 4)
their bicycles safely. All of the
Keeping pace with
main safety requirements
advances, this Unit has
are covered, including safety
been updated to include
checks, basic maintenance
a stronger focus on
and repair skills, rules,
personal safety including
practices and codes of
cyberbullying, online
conduct for safe cycling.
behaviour, social networking
Cyber Security and use of mobile devices.
Fundamentals Learners are made aware of
(SCQF Level 4) the risks and responsibilities
of online working, and
This Award is designed
develop the skills and
to be an introduction to
knowledge essential
the feld of cyber security.
to safeguard themselves
It covers a wide range of
and others. Topics include
topics from personal data
dealing with unwanted
security to cyberattacks
communications, guarding
between nations. It also
against identity theft,
covers how to protect
and protecting systems
businesses from cyber threats.
against viruses.
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Personal Finance Awards initiatives focused on
(SCQF Levels 4 and 5) changing and improving
driving attitudes across
These Awards equip learners
the UK.
with the skills to understand
and manage money Statistics Award
throughout everyday fnancial (SCQF level 6)
encounters. Examples include
This Award is the study of
comparing costs in utility
statistics in real-life contexts
bills, identifying different
and focuses on applying
types of money, payslips,
statistical literacy skills to
credit cards, budgeting and
data – sampling, collection,
foreign currency exchange.
handling, and presentation
Safe Road User Award and aims to equip learners
(SCQF Level 4) with the statistical skills and
knowledge they will need in
The Safe Road User Award
their everyday lives – both
builds positive attitudes to
personally and in the world
road use and enables young
of work.
people to share responsibility
for road safety. The Award Find out more at
has been developed in www.sqa.org.uk/awards
collaboration with the
Driving Standards Agency
(DSA) and stems directly
from recent government
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MYSECTOR
an easy search for
qualifcations
Find the ideal qualifcation
for your future.
www.sqa.org.uk/mysector
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BD7499 September 2017
