FOI23/24 143 CITB and PDA Modules

Date published: 30/01/2024

Dear Sir/Madam could you answer a question for me as a freedom of information request please.

In the attachment you will see SQA modules being delivered in the joinery department of colleges, and their unit number.

My question is. If the CITB ( construction industry training board) ceased to exist, do they have ownership of these PDA modules and they would also cease to be delivered,?

Do the CITB have any revenue stream from these modules in current use (if so how much)?. Or any influence at all how these modules used and delivered.?

If the CITB ( construction industry training board) ceased to exist, do they have ownership of these PDA modules and they would also cease to be delivered?

PDA’s (Professional Development Award) are a qualification product type developed and owned by SQA Awarding Body and offered to learners by centres who are approved to deliver and assess the award.

PDAs are made up of Units and have specific aims that relate to occupational areas and are linked to National Occupational Standards. They sit on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at Levels 6 - 12.

PDAs must be aligned to National Occupational Standards or other professional or trade body standards, as appropriate to the PDA.

CITB SSO (Standards Setting Organisation)  develops and maintains these standards for the construction industry in the UK.

National Occupational Standards (NOS) - CITB

Do the CITB have any revenue stream from these modules in current use (if so how much)?. Or any influence at all how these modules used and delivered?

Revenue Stream

We are unable to provide some of the information requested as it is not held by the SQA. Section 17 of FOISA provides that where an authority does not hold information requested it should notify the requester to that effect.

SQA AB does not hold any data on CITB income streams’

CITB are also managing agents for construction apprenticeships of which the PDA is a component therefore draw this funding from Skills Development Scotland (SDS), they then contract with a training provider to deliver the PDA. Or in recent times do the delivery in house. SQA don’t hold that data. However, SDS may be the appropriate organisation to ask regarding this as they fund the PDA as part of the apprenticeship.

You can contact SDS to request information using the following link.

Access to information - Skills Development Scotland

Influence on use and Delivery

As previously noted, CITB SSO develop and maintain the NOS for the construction industry in the UK, PDA’s must be aligned to the NOS or other recognised industry standard.  

CITB SSO therefore are involved in the development of the PDA as the qualification product must be aligned to industry standards, in construction, currently this is NOS provided by CITB SSO.  

This is no different from PDA’s that are developed for other industry sectors.