Sector Panel and Support Teams

We engage with stakeholders in a number of ways, such as the annual Heads of Computing event. But we run two committees that are particularly important in this regard.

The Sector Panel for Computing & IT seeks to get feedback from you in a direct way -- through bi-annual face-to-face meetings. The Sector Panel includes representatives from colleges, schools and industry, including E-Skills UK. The Qualifications Support Teams (there are two - one for non-advanced and one for advanced qualifications) are another channel of communication. The QSTs are responsible for helping us to support centres, and keeping the qualifications up-to-date. They meet once per year and use online communications in-between meetings. The members are drawn from colleges and schools.

The Sector Panel and QSTs are not talk-shops. They make decisions that have a real impact on what we do. For example, in the recent past, the Sector Panel has suggested new qualifications that we have subsequently created. The QSTs suggest support materials to help teachers deliver our qualification, which we then [usually] commission.

Me and my team met yesterday afternoon to discuss the membership of these groups. As a result, we are looking for new members of the Sector Panel and the QSTs. We are particularly interested in representatives of industry to serve on the Sector Panel, and representatives of schools to serve on the QST for non-advanced awards. But we'd be interested to hear from anyone who is willing to give up some of their time to carry out these important roles. I think it's fair to say that the current members all find their membership rewarding. It's not only a great opportunity to have your say but it's also a great way of keeping up-to-date with developments and networking with people with similar interests.

Please contact Caroline for more information about the Sector Panel or the QST for advanced (HN/PDA) awards, or contact Hilary for information about the QST for non-advanced (NC/NPA) awards. Or contact me if you want a more general discussion.