The Accreditation Committee (AC)

 

Purpose & Remit

The AC directs all of the work undertaken by SQA Accreditation.  It meets 4 times a year to discuss policy issues and many elements of the work carried out by SQA Accreditation including:

• Decisions taken by ACG
• Quality assurance audit outcomes
• Research work carried out in-house
• Any other business of relevance to the function of SQA Accreditation

Due to the nature of the work undertaken by SQA Accreditation, in terms of approving and regulating qualifications which have a direct link to and impact on industry, SQA Accreditation relies on AC to act as an independent voice in influencing current activity as well as future direction.  To ensure that SQA Accreditation links with industry and training providers at a policy level, representatives of both are invited to sit as members of the committee.  This input helps SQA Accreditation ensure that future business planning, as well as current objectives remain relevant for industry and for those tasked with delivering SQA accredited qualifications to learners.  SQA Accreditation has a responsibility to make sure that candidates are provided with high quality learning experiences and that the qualifications they complete remain relevant to our changing industries.  Having industry experts available to contribute at a policy level is paramount to SQA Accreditation's success in achieving its objectives.

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Membership

The majority of the AC are appointed from outwith SQA Board membership.  The composition of the AC is as follows:

• Convenor appointed by the Board from its membership
• one member appointed by the Board from its membership
• other members appointed by the Board from outwith its membership one member appointed by SSAScot

Current Members

Professor John Simmons, Heriot Watt University (Convenor)	Keith Quinn, Scottish Social Services Council (SQA Board member)
Martin Hunter, Federation of Small Businesses	Gary Waddell, Scottish Prison Service
John Mitchell, Kilsyth Academy	Steve Brodie, Rolls Royce
Alasdair Smith, Skillset	Paul Campbell, Scottish Water
Bob McGonigle, Microsoft	Valerie Mann, HBOS
George Nicoll	Karen Adams

 

There are also 3 observers who sit on the committee representing interested parties.  Observers have no voting rights and in the event of being unable to attend a meeting, may be substituted.  Current Observers are:

Sue McGlynn, QCA
Lynn Forsyth, Scottish Executive
Linda Murray, Skills Development Scotland

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