Recognition of Prior Learning – the Scottish context Sheila Dunn Head of Quality and International Development Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership

The Partnership and Framework RPL in Scotland Government Support Current policy links SCQF Resources Online Toolkit My Skills, My Future Case Studies Benefits and Challenges

Scotland - Overview Population 5,373,000 (June 2015) 17% under age 16 63% working age 20% pensioners 40% of population in Central Belt Employment rate 74% (Oct 2016) Number of institutions HEIs 20 (215,000 students) Colleges 26 – in 13 regions (350,000 students) Schools 376 (285,000 pupils) Use this slide to compare with size of visiting country Three of our Universities are in the Top 100 Globally which places them in the top 1% of universities. In colleges 347,336 students undertaking courses, mostly part time. Schools: Primary 2,153 Secondary 376 Special 193 Total 2,722

SCQF Partnership SCQF Partnership SCQFP Chair QAA Scotland College Development Network Scottish Qualifications Authority Universities Scotland Co-opted Director representing employers SCQFP Chair Rob Wallen, Principal, North East Scotland College Framework launched 2001 SCQFP Established November 2006 Company Ltd by Guarantee Registered Charity in Scotland Executive Team – 10 members The SCQF was created and named in 2001 by a steering group comprising members of the Scottish Government, SQA and QAA. First implementation plan followed for 2003-2006. Company established in 2006. The Partnership then produced the First strategic and operational plans in 2007. The Partnership has a Board of Directors which comprises nominees of: College Development Network, Quality Assurance Agency for HE, SQA, Universities Scotland In addition, the Board has a co-opted Director representing the interests of employers. And an independent Chair, Rob Wallen We believe we have a formidable force with this Board. All of the bodies represented have a significant interest, involvement and influence on, learning in Scotland and they also work closely with a wide range of stakeholders to help the company to achieve its goals. 4

Over 11,000 learning programmes on the Framework All mainstream qualifications represented at all levels and in all sectors Over 11,000 learning programmes on the Framework Increasing number of employer and work based qualifications Ministerial endorsement as a “national language” Embedded within all education and training policy Not just about levels and credits Introduce framework – explain levels, credits, etc Explain how quals compare – doesn’t matter where the learning takes place, etc Microsoft example – An international organisation wanted to level their training programmes credit rated and chose SCQF to do so first. We are also regularly updating and producing new case studies to reflect employers use of the Framework. Over 500 quals from employers, private training providers and other ‘non mainstream’ quals

Aims of the SCQF helping people of all ages and circumstances to understand how to progress through appropriate education and training over their lifetime, so as to fulfil their personal, social and economic potential;  enabling employers, learners and the public in general to understand: the full range of Scottish qualifications; how qualifications relate to each other and to other forms of assessed learning; how different types of qualification can contribute to improving the development, and utilisation, of the skills of the workforce; how Scottish qualifications relate to qualifications in other countries; how using level descriptors can assist with qualifications development and benchmarking skills and experience in all sectors. providing a Framework which can support the aims of fair work and social justice by ensuring that it provides tools and resources which can recognise prior learning, support progression and improve social inclusion

RPL: A Definition The Recognition of Prior Learning is the process for recognising learning that has its source in experience and/or previous formal, non-formal and informal learning contexts.

Government Support Skills for Scotland (2007) Challenging employers, learning providers, awarding bodies and others to use the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) as a tool to support learning, specifically to facilitate the recognition of learning and for enabling individuals to move smoothly through learning environments, getting credit for learning they have already achieved. Putting Learners at the Centre – Delivering our Ambitions for Post-16 Education (2011) There is some excellent practice in recognising prior learning. We want to ensure such practice is adopted as a minimum benchmark across the sector, ensuring that entry to courses happens at Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework (SCQF) levels which properly reflect people’s academic and wider experience.”

Current Government Policies RPL supports current Scottish Government Policies: Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Closing the Gap Commission on Widening Access (CoWA) Excellence and Equity in Education Fair Work Framework

Learners must be given full recognition for their prior attainment as they progress between institutions without unnecessary repetition of any Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level unless it is in the interest of the learner. Colleges Scotland 2016

RPL: Benefits Enhances employability and career development Can help prevent skills gaps Saves time and money for learners, employers and the Scottish economy Can improve confidence and self-esteem Can support the increase of skills utilisation

SCQFP RPL activities and Resources RPL Toolkit online resource My Skills, My Future toolkit and workshops links with HE RPL Network RPL workshops Sector Specific events Case studies

Online RPL Resource designed to signpost users to a range of information relevant to their needs or interests in RPL. It highlights the different ways in which RPL can be utilised and attempts to clarify some of the jargon which is sometimes used. Supports learners who may be interested in using RPL and providers of RPL such as colleges, universities, employers, sector skills bodies, awarding bodies or others involved in providing learning. By clarifying some of the terms and uses for RPL it attempts to build a shared understanding of the common features, approaches and issues around RPL. For RPL providers it attempts to offer some guidance and examples on the implementation of RPL processes.

The Online RPL Toolkit http://scqf.org.uk

My Skills My Future

Aim of My Skills My Future To help individuals understand their skills and strengths gained through experiential learning and benchmark this to the SCQF

Benefits Better understanding of skills Aids planning future career or further training Builds self-confidence and raises aspirations Benchmarked against the Career Education Standards Can generate evidence towards certain SQA awards

Challenges Producing tools doesn’t mean people will use them Need for tailored information Need for capacity building No consistent approach to RPL across sectors Some sectors don’t recognise what they do as RPL Very few sectors “market” RPL to learners Limited definition of articulation Regional outcome agreements Student funding structure

Case Studies and Workshops Workshops for those supporting learners and setting up systems Sector Specific Events – Creative Industries, Care and School Leadership Bespoke Workshops Case Studies Videos of learner journeys

Some questions for discussion? What challenges are there in promoting the value of RPL? What benefits are to be gained from a national framework/policy for RPL? What barriers are there to implementing RPL?

201 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 2LW 0845 270 7371 | www.scqf.org.uk | info@scqf.org.uk http://scqf.org.uk/videos/scqf-an-unexpected-journey/ Remind group of presence on twitter, facebook, linkedin and youtube…