Professional Development Awards

Welcome

We have designed this section specifically for those developing, validating and delivering Professional Development Awards.

New design principles and titling for the revision and development of Professional Development Awards have been agreed and all PDAs will be revised and developed in line with these principles and titling.

The sections below give useful information and guidance on the development and validation of PDAs with links to relevant documents and forms. If there are other links or information you would like us to add, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

SQA’s Professional Development Awards (PDAs) are designed to develop and deliver high level skills in a sharp, flexible and focused way.

They are ideal for developing the skills of young people, graduates, and other adult learners. They are ideal for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) so employers can use them to enhance the skills of their employees.

Why consider PDAs:

Flexible qualifications fit for industry, training and education
Specialist skills applicable at all stages of career development
Emphasis on strong partnership with employers and industry in their development
Focused on professional/vocational, work-based or work-related skills development
Supports CPD, so ideal for workforce development
Fills skills shortages at advanced SCQF levels
Backed by SQA’s world-renowned excellence in developing and quality-assuring qualifications

How to find out about PDAs

PDAs are available for a wide range of skills and professions and are generally provided through colleges. Contact your local college to find out what PDA courses they provide.

To give you a flavour there are a range of PDAs in areas such as administration, finance, management, computing and health & social care.

PDA Status Report and Development Schedule
The PDA Status Report and Development Schedule will provide stakeholders with early, regular and straightforward information on developments in Professional Development Awards.

Level 9+
The aim of the SCQF Level 9+ project is to establish a framework for the development of vocationally focused Professional Development Awards (PDAs) at SCQF level 9 and above. These will be linked to National Occupational Standards and will fill vocational curricula gaps.

Guides