New IT Professional Standards

I met with Chris Morrow, of E-Skills UK, on Monday afternoon to discuss new National Occupational Standards (NOS) relating to IT Professional. E-Skills maintains two sets of Standards: one set relating to IT user (ICT) and one set relating to IT professional (Computing).

It recently revised their IT Professional Standards and SQA, along with other awarding bodies, is now in the process of turning these Standards into qualifications. These have traditionally been SVQs but we explored the possibility of creating alternative awards, perhaps more attractive to employers. We'll be getting involved in this from January.

SQA uses the Standards for two purposes: (1) as the basis of SVQs; and (2) to inform our other vocational awards, all of which should relate to these Standards. The second purpose is important -- validation panels will ask for evidence of support from Sector Skills Councils and also ask how we used the Standards to inform our proposed award(s).

Contact Hilary for more information about SVQs.