SVQ Laboratory Skills (Life Science) SCQF level 8
The Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Laboratory Skills (Life Science) at SCQF level 8 allows candidates to demonstrate competence in job-related skills in their particular area of work and expertise.
This qualification covers areas such as developing and maintaining health and safety procedures and maintaining effective and efficient working relationships.
This qualification has been designed in partnership with Cogent Skills to ensure relevance to the sector.
SVQs are based on National Occupational Standards (NOS). SQA works in partnership with other organisations to ensure that NOS are relevant to the current and future needs of Scottish industries.
This qualification is available through colleges, employers, and training providers.
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Why deliver this qualification
Upon successful completion, learners will gain an internationally recognised qualification which guarantees that they have the skills, knowledge, and abilities required to carry out their role successfully. Employers will also benefit from their employees being proficient.
Assessment is carried out in the workplace which minimises any time that learners would need to be away from their work.
The SVQ can be offered in either of the following modes:
- full-time
- part-time (such as day-release)
Who does this qualification suit
This SVQ is suitable for:
- learners who may have just left school
- individuals who are currently in employment and who wish to obtain a formal qualification
- employees who wish to obtain short, continuing professional development courses
Access
Entry is at the discretion of the centre.
Candidates should be in a job or placement where they are carrying out relevant tasks and responsibilities which allow them to gather the required evidence.
No prior qualifications or knowledge are required to undertake this qualification.
Progression
The level 8 award could provide progression to a range of science qualifications.
Approval
Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.
Centres without devolved authority are required 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. The specific delivery requirements are set out in the assessment strategy.
How to assess
For general information on how to assess this qualification, please refer to the document Information for Assessment of Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). For detailed guidance on how to assess this particular SVQ, please refer to the assessment strategy.
Where can you take this course?
Qualification content and delivery tools
Information about the qualification(s)
Qualification Structure
The SVQ in Laboratory Skills (Life Science) at SCQF level 8 consists of 2 mandatory units and 6 optional units.
Group award code: GP4V 24
For details of the units making up the SVQ, please refer to the qualification structure.
- Qualification structure (78 KB)
National Occupational Standards
Unit information for this qualification is available on our Unit Search.
Core Skills signposting
Core Skill mappings are carried out by the SSC responsible for the development of an SVQ. It is a requirement of SQA Accreditation that every SVQ submission includes information on where possible opportunities for candidates to develop Core Skills exist across the mandatory units.
Centres should note that mappings are not audited or validated against the Core Skills framework/units so are not accepted by SQA awarding body as evidence towards achievement of the Core Skills units.
- Core Skills signposting (72 KB)
Modern Apprenticeships
This SVQ is a mandatory component in the SCQF Level 8 Technical Apprenticeship in Life Science and Related Science Industries.
SQA also offers the following components of this Apprenticeship:
- GK6G 16 - HND in Applied Biological Sciences
- GK6H 16 - HND in Applied Chemical Sciences
- GK6F 16 - HND in Applied Sciences
- GK70 16 - HND in Industrial Biotechnology
Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material
Assessment strategy
- Assessment Strategy (79 KB)