We are so excited to advise that we are currently going through the process of becoming an SQA Approved Centre.
What is an SQA Approved Centre?
The Scottish Qualifications Authority, or SQA, is a public body sponsored by the Scottish Government responsible for the development, accreditation, assessment and certification of qualifications.
Unlike other bodies, the SQA is not paid to provide accreditation – organisations must complete a rigorous application process which involves scrutiny of quality assurance, tutorial and marking procedures, and many other aspects before earning the right to be known as an SQA Approved Centre.
What will Perth Autism Support be able to offer when approval received?
We will be able to offer our young people the opportunity to gain an SQA Employability Award.
The Award is an introduction to the world of work for those who are unsure about how to gain and sustain employment. It is available at SCQF level 3 and level 4. The programme focuses on generic employability skills, to enable a successful move into the job market.
When our young people attend our ‘Get Ready For Work’ programme, they will produce evidence using various methods of assessment sources, so that they meet the criteria to gain the award.
They will complete 3 Units:
- Preparing for Employment: First Steps Young People will look at their existing skills and experience, and how these might apply to work. They also consider the sort of employment they would like — what they would like to get from work, and what sort of job will deliver that.
- Building Your Employability Skills Young People will consider the types of employment which may suit. They practise the skills needed to find employment, such as contacting employers, filling in application forms, and writing a CV.
- Dealing with Work Situations Young People will consider working with other people and building effective working relationships. They learn about dealing with conflict and the consequences of not dealing with work situations in an acceptable way
Young people will develop skills and attitudes which will be applicable across all areas of employment.
The Employability Award is flexible and allows maximum choice in the way it is delivered and assessed at either level. We deliver the programme to meet the needs of an autistic young person.
This qualification is nationally recognised.
On approval of becoming an SQA Approved Centre, our staff will have been trained as an Assessor and Internal Verifier to be able to offer the SQA Employability Award to our young people within Perth Autism Support.
