2. HN Business Consultation 2019

3. HN Business Consultation - 2019
Why?
Present awards validated in 2010 after a review of the 2004 awards.
Other awards have been reviewed and adapted
Significant changes in the business environment
Feedback from SQA annual surveys
Feedback from the HN Enhancements Project
Aims
Review content and assessment
Review aims of the two awards
Check suitability for progession
Check suitability for gaining employment

4. HN Business Consultation - 2019
Constraints
Changes to units in other frameworks
Existing design rules for HNC/D awards
The needs of Higher Education Institutions that are reflected in the current design of the awards
The outcomes from the Next Generation Project
Stakeholder Groups
Scottish centres
Higher Education
Employers

5. And last but not least, TODAY
HN Business Consultation
Primary
Three surveys were conducted, one for each stakeholder group
Secondary
SQA HNC/D Business Centre Survey 2017/18
HN Enhancements Project feedback
Qualification Verification visits and Qualification Verification Summary Reports
Feedback to SQA
And last but not least, TODAY

6. HN Business Consultation - 2019
Exercise

7. HN Business Consultation - 2019
Contradictions and constraints
HND is too easy or HND is too hard
All closed book versus reduced assessment
Content too light, content too heavy
Radical structural change compared to awards already updated
No changes required versus changes essential

8. HN Business Consultation - 2019
Agreements in general
There is too much assessment
Managing the existing assessment is hard for candidates and staff alike
There are significant changes taking place in the business environment
Some content and assessment changes are required
The HN Enhancements Project is well received

9. HN Business Consultation - 2019
General Recommendations
Opportunities should be identified where assessment might be reduced.
Identify opportunities to integrate assessment should be identified.
Opportunities to add assessments to the HN Enhancements Pilot should be identified
Opportunities to conduct E-assessment should be identified and is encouraged if appropriate and practicable
There is a need for a digital technologies/online business unit within the mandatory section of HNC Business

10. HN Business Consultation - 2019
General Recommendations
Seek opportunities to gain self-employment skills and further embed enterprise activity
Add business simulation activity
Seek to add opportunities for candidates to attain soft skills
Add opportunities to strengthen research skills, referencing and essay writing to further enhance transition to degree studies
Review the current optional units
Consider structural changes once the Next Generation project reports

11. HN Business Consultation - 2019
Unit Recommendations
Managing People and Organisations: Content should be updated and seek opportunities for reduced assessment and integration of assessment.
Business Accounting: Concern about difficulty therefore rreview unit assessment requirements
Communication: Business Communication: Changes required but no consensus on what
IT: Applications Software 1: ITAS1 to be removed and replaced with a new SCQF level 7 digital technologies unit within the mandatory section of HNC Business

12. HN Business Consultation - 2019
Unit Recommendations
Business: Graded Unit 1: Revise the unit in light of any changes to contributing units and update case materials
Business Culture and Strategy: Revise unit content in light of the survey comments
Economics 1: Micro and Macro Theory and Application: Review the assessment requirements and conditions
Economics 2: The World Economy: Revise in Brexit requires it
Statistics for Business: Potential for a new unit that focuses more on analysis and interpretation

13. HN Business Consultation - 2019
Unit Recommendations
Preparing Financial Forecasts: Review content and in particular the requirements/conditions of assessment
Business Law: An Introduction: Review content in light of Brexit
Business: Graded Unit 2: Minor review on instructions and requirements
The next steps
Next Generation
Qualification Review Team