PDA Software Development SCQF levels 7, 8 and 9

These qualifications focus on software development and aim to produce job-ready employees for businesses (SCQF level 9 Award). They can be used to train people with computing backgrounds or to retrain people from other disciplines.

The suite of qualifications spans three levels and is hierarchical — learners can mix and match Units from different levels and gain a Group Award at the level of the lowest Unit.

These short qualifications can be taken over an intense period of study.

The Scottish Government's Skills Development Plan includes the proposal to establish a number of Digital Skills Academies, to provide short and highly-focused courses in Software Development. These qualifications can provide a suitable curriculum for such academies.

The target audience is those in work, or seeking employment, who require a specific skill set.

These qualifications are aimed at anyone with an interest in becoming a computer programmer. No previous experience of programming is required but the award will require intensive study for those without it. The qualifications are suitable for learners with backgrounds in computing who wish to focus on coding or learners with no background in computing who wish to retrain in this area.

Access

Entry to these qualifications is at the discretion of the centre.

All learners will be expected to possess basic IT skills before admission to the qualifications. Learners would benefit from having attained the skills, knowledge and understanding required by one or more of the following or equivalent qualifications and/or experience:

Level 7: no previous knowledge of computer programming is required, but learners would benefit from having previous experience of using computers, for example, the use of office applications.

Level 8: learners would benefit from having a lower-level qualification in computing, eg an Advanced Higher, HNC, or a graduate level qualification in a non-STEM subject.

Level 9: learners would benefit from having a graduate-level qualification in a STEM subject or another subject that promotes logical thinking.

These qualifications are not expected to articulate to any specific degree programmes. Discussions with universities have suggested that these qualifications would only be considered in conjunction with the other qualifications held by the learner.

Learners completing SCQF level 9 should be prepared for employment as entry-level programmers. Those completing lower levels are likely to require further training before being ready to enter employment.

Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.

Centres without devolved authority will have to come forward for approval and should contact SQA's Business Development Team for guidance.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA's general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide

Each individual Unit specification gives detailed information on the Evidence Requirements and approaches to assessment for each Unit.

Ongoing course assessment will apply.

Each Unit is assessed separately. At this time there are no plans to support this award with SOLAR assessments. The assessment support packs (ASPs) will consist of the theoretical and practical assessments required by the Evidence Requirements for each of the Units.

Assessment support packs will be available for this qualification in summer 2016.