SVQ Learning and Development SCQF level 8 and 9
Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) recognise competence in job-related skills and are based on National Occupational Standards.
The SVQs at SCQF levels 8 and 9 cover areas such as planning and preparing specific learning and development opportunities, engaging and supporting learners in the learning and development process, evaluating and improving learning and development provision, and reflecting on, developing and maintaining own skills and practice in learning and development.
These qualifications have been developed by Instructus, the sector skills council, part of the Instructus group, to ensure relevance to the sector.
This qualification is available through employers, colleges and training providers.
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Why deliver this qualification
Learners will gain an internationally-recognised qualification that guarantees that they have the skills, knowledge and abilities required to carry out their role successfully. Employers will also benefit from their employees being proficient.
The SVQs in Learning and Development at SCQF levels 8 and 9 are suitable for people working in a training or learning development role with individuals or groups of learners.
Assessment is carried out in the workplace. This minimises any time learners need to be away from their work.
The SVQ can be offered in multiple modes depending on the SQA-approved centre’s preferred mode of delivery.
Who does this qualification suit
The SVQ in Learning and Development (L&D) at SCQF level 8 is suitable for trainers, facilitators, mentors, tutors, coaches, instructors or anyone with a training responsibility in addition to their main job. At SCQF level 8, candidates would be expected to plan, implement and evaluate training.
The SVQ in Learning and Development at SCQF level 9 is suitable for senior trainers or training co-ordinators/managers who plan, deliver and evaluate programmes. At SCQF level 9, candidates would be expected to plan, deliver and evaluate training programmes.
The SVQ group award at either SCQF level is also suitable for those workplace assessors/internal verifiers who have a wider role in developing the skills and knowledge of the candidates they assess and/or internally-verify.
Furthermore, for those candidates who may also have a responsibility for coaching and mentoring within their role, there is now the opportunity to gain formal recognition of these roles through the achievement of an SVQ unit in either area within the SVQ in Learning and Development group award at both SCQF level 8 and 9.
Access
Entry is at the discretion of the centre. However, as these are work-based qualifications, candidates should be working in a training role to ensure they are able to generate the required work-based evidence.
It must also be emphasised that where either of the assessor units and/or internal verifier unit are chosen, the L&D candidate must be in a position to conduct and/or internally verify assessment in the workplace.
Progression
The level 8 award could provide progression to:
- an SVQ in Learning and Development at SCQF level 9
- an SVQ in Management
The level 9 award could provide progression to:
- an SVQ in Management
Approval
Centres interested in offering this qualification should come forward for approval and contact SQA's Business Development Team for guidance.
Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA's general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide (510 KB). The specific delivery requirements are set out in the Assessment Strategy.
How to assess
For general information, please refer to the document Information for Assessment of Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). For detailed guidance on how to assess this particular SVQ, please refer to the assessment strategy.
Where can you take this course?
Qualification content and delivery tools
Current
Information about the qualification(s)
Qualification Structure
Group award code:
GV86 23 (54 KB)
The SVQ in Learning and Development at SCQF level 8 consists of three mandatory units and three optional units.
GV87 24 (54 KB)
The SVQ in Learning and Development at SCQF level 9 consists of four mandatory units and four optional units.
For details of the units making up the SVQ, please refer to the qualification structure.
National Occupational Standards
SQA works in partnership with other organisations to ensure that National Occupational Standards (NOS) are relevant to the current and future needs of Scottish industries.
Please note that while the SVQ units reflect the respective Community Learning and Development, Learning and Development (CLDLD) NOS* created in June 2023, the SQA awarding body has produced specific evidence requirements for each SVQ unit, therefore, the SQA unit specification must be adhered to, not the CLDLD NOS concerned.
*The exception being the CLDLD NOS: Assess Learner Achievement (CLDLD09), which has been split to create two SVQ Assessor units.
Unit information for this qualification is available on our Unit Search.
Core Skills signposting
Core Skill mappings are carried out by the SSC responsible for the development of an SVQ. It is a requirement of SQA Accreditation that every SVQ submission includes information on where possible opportunities for candidates to develop Core Skills exist across the mandatory units.
Centres should note that mappings are not audited or validated against the Core Skills framework/units so are not accepted by SQA awarding body as evidence towards achievement of the Core Skills units.
Core Skills mappings are carried out by the SSC responsible for the development of an SVQ. It is a requirement of SQA Accreditation that every SVQ submission includes information on where possible opportunities for candidates to develop Core Skills exist across the mandatory units.
Centres should note that mappings are not audited or validated against the Core Skills framework/units so they are not accepted by the SQA awarding body as evidence towards achievement of the Core Skills units.
SVQ Learning and Development (85 KB)
Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material
Candidate Guidance and Portfolio
Lapsing
Information about the qualification(s)
Qualification Structure
SVQ in Learning and Development at level 3 (GA29 23) and SVQ in Learning and Development at level 4 (GA2C 24)
These group awards have been replaced.
They enter their lapsing period on: 30/06/2025
They finish on: 30/06/2029
National Occupational Standards
Unit information for this qualification is available on our Unit Search.
Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material
Assessment strategy
Assessment Guidance
Assessment is through performance in the workplace and simulation is not allowed. Evidence may be classified into three categories:
- work produced by the candidate as part of his/her job
- work produced by others relating to the work that the candidate does
- witness statements produced by others about what the candidate has done
This evidence may be gathered by observed performance, products of work, witness testimony and personal statement, and presented as a portfolio of candidate work.
The SVQs contain optional management Units. If centres choose to offer these Units they must sign up to the Management and Leadership Assessment Strategy (31 KB) of the Standards Setting Body for Management and Leadership.
Candidate Guidance and Portfolio
Qualification Verification Summary Reports
Qualification Frameworks
- Learning and Development Frameworks and Unit Standards (548 KB)
- Learning and Development NOS (123 KB) (including SQA Unit Codes)