New qualifications in Mobile Technology

I've previously mentioned a new suite of awards linked to mobile technology. This development is being led by Joe Spencer of SQA's NQGA team, although the original idea came from a Sector Panel meeting in 2010.

The validation event took place on Friday at Annielsand College. I served on the Panel as the SQA representative. The QDT was represented by Jim Kriegar (formerly Anniesland College, now retired) and Iain Shand (of Cardonald College). The full QDT included representatives of Stow, Carnegie, and Cumbernauld colleges.

Five qualifications were presented for validation:

1. NPA in Mobile Technology (at SCQF Levels 4, 5 and 6)
2. NC in Mobile Technology (at SCQF Level 5)
3. NPA in Professional Computer Fundamentals (at SCQF Level 6).

The last award is linked to Microsoft's Technology Associate qualification.

All five awards were validated, subject to a few conditions and recommendations. One of the recommendations relates to the title of the vendor award, so the above name might be changed.

It was a good event, well organised by the host centre (Anniesland College), and carried out in a supportive spirit, with everyone trying to improve the proposals. All five awards should be available to centres from September, with the vendor linked NPA available sooner than that.

Once these qualifications are validated, they will make a valuable contribution to the portfolio of vocational Computing awards. I intend to incorporate some of the units into existing non-advanced qualifications, such as the NC in Digital Media Computing.

Contact Joe for more information about these new awards. Contact Hilary for more information about existing non-advanced qualifications.