Develop: Phase 1 - establishing content, structure and assessment materials

The success of any qualification depends on its relevance to learners, learning providers and employers. Therefore, before any development starts, the first stage is to establish what knowledge and skills are needed, through consultation with employers, education providers, professional bodies and advisory groups.

The purpose of initial consultation is to get feedback on:

the proposed title of the group award
its purpose and aims — both general and specific
knowledge and skills
assessment methods

A generic consultation questionnaire (46 KB) is provided in the download section which may help with this.

The second meeting of the QDT should establish:

the purpose and aims of the qualification and the knowledge and skills required to achieve them
product type and associated design principles
title of the group award
assessment approach

You should update the draft group award specification started at the planning stage with relevant information from the consultation. Doing so ensures that the development remains true to the feedback from those consulted on it.

Considering knowledge and skills requirements

Existing provision

To avoid proliferation of units and reduce development costs, the QDT should consider if any existing units meet requirements.

Higher National Catalogue (388 KB)

National Qualification Catalogue (583 KB)

National Occupational Standards (NOS)

A crucial aspect of ensuring that a qualification is relevant to the occupational sector it is intended for, is to take into account the recognised professional standards for that sector or industry (NOS).

It is important that you identify any relevant NOS at an early stage of the development because they will underpin any unit development or revision.

Details are held in the NOS Directory managed by Skills Development Scotland (SDS).

Using National Occupational Standards in the development of SQA group awards is a useful source of reference to support you through the process.

Core Skills

Core Skills — Communication, Numeracy, Information and Communication Technology, Problem Solving, Working with Others

Consultation feedback will have identified which Core Skills are important, and at what level. You may choose to use a generic Core Skill unit or 'signpost' Core Skill coverage across a new/revised unit.

Guidance on Core Skills: Using the design principles for Higher National Certificates and Diplomas (465 KB) provides information on signposting Core Skills.

Third meeting of the QDT

The third meeting of the QDT should result in:
the production of a unit writer brief for each new/revised HN (75 KB), HN Graded (70 KB), NQ unit (74 KB)
identification of writers and vetters for:
- new/revised units (normally members of the QDT)
- Group Award specification
- possible Group Award validation panel members

Once the development requirements of the Group Award have been determined, the role of the QDT has been accomplished.