Learning Pathways in the Senior Phase and beyond

A learning pathways is a learner's journey through education and learning. Courses, qualifications and learning experiences can be chosen at any age or stage of learners' lives. These learning choices are steps along the learning pathway. Learning pathways can help to: • map out the courses and qualifications that help to achieve personal objectives • deliver skills and knowledge • create opportunities for new interests and changes of direction • improve employment prospects • enrich learners' lives. Curriculum for Excellence by its nature provides the opportunity for a more balanced and inclusive approach to academic and vocational education with the potential to blend the two to the needs of the individual. 'Education Working For All!' Learning pathways may involve taking courses and qualifications either full time or part time while learners are: • at school • at school and college (shared placement) • undertaking an apprenticeship (with training at college and/or in the workplace) • at work • at university • online (SCHOLAR, Open University, distance learning) • in combinations of the above. There are additional learning opportunities in the community: local authorities, colleges and universities often run short courses for those who are 16+. C O L L E G E A P P R E N T I C E S H I P S

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The Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce, led by Sir Ian Wood, published its report ‘Education Working For All!’ in June 2014. The development of clear learning and progression pathways, designed to meet the skills development needs of young people and of employers is a key theme. Innovative partnerships and closer ties between schools, colleges, training providers, universities and industry are already in place and more are being developed. These partnerships deliver learning pathways which can include academic, vocational and skills-based qualifications, courses and apprenticeships. The recommendations in the report include: preparing young people better for work; college education which focuses on progression in learning and on employment; the further development of apprenticeships to include higher level skills to meet industry needs; an increase in partnerships between schools/colleges and businesses/employers; a strong equalities agenda.

To read ‘Education Working For All!’ visit http://tinyurl.com/lalfrmu curriculum for Excellence in a N utshell The National Parent Forum of Scotland Summary of Learning Pathways Learning Pathways in the Senior Phase and beyond What are Learning Pathways? The Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce Skills for learning, life and work Learning Opportunities: Pathways for All

SCQF Level 1 SCQF LEVEL 2 SCQF LEVEL 3 SCQF LEVEL 4 SCQF LEVEL 5 SCQF LEVEL 6 SCQF LEVEL 7 SCQF LEVEL 8 SCQF LEVEL 9 SCQF LEVEL 10 SCQF LEVEL 11 SCQF LEVEL 12 NATIONAL 1 NATIONAL 2 NATIONAL 3 NATIONAL 4 NATIONAL 5 HIGHER advanced higher Bachelors/ Ordinary Degree Honours degree Masters Degree doctoral degree awardsawardsawardsawardsawardsawardsawardsawards Post Graduate Certificate Skills f or Work Skills f or Work Skills f or Work Skills f or Work scottish baccalaureate National Progression Awards National Progression Awards National Progression Awards National Progression Awards National Progression Awards National Certificates National Certificates National Certificates National Certificates National Certificates Higher National Certificates higher National diploma Scottish Vocational Qualifications 3 Scottish Vocational Qualifications 3 Scottish Vocational Qualifications 4 Modern apprenticeships SVQ 1 Modern apprenticeships SVQ 2 Modern apprenticeships SVQ 3 Modern apprenticeships SVQ 3 Technical apprenticeships SVQ 4 Technical apprenticeships SVQ 4 Professional apprenticeships Professional apprenticeships SVQ 5 Professional apprenticeships Professional Development Awards Professional Development Awards Professional Development Awards Professional Development Awards Professional Development Awards Professional Development Awards Professional Development Awards Understanding Your Learning Pathway: The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Courses, qualifications and learning opportunities are the building blocks of developing skills and knowledge. The table below sets out the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) levels and uses colour coding to show qualifications at those levels. SCQF Levels 1 to 12 create a common currency between different courses and qualifications which are delivered in various settings (school, college, work, university, online). The colour coding shows how the different courses are valued equally within the SCQF levels. The SCQF operates a system of credit points eg a National 4 and a National Certificate at SCQF Level 4 are both worth 24 credit points. These credit points support progression onto the next learning level, as modules and/or qualifications are achieved. There should be a continuum from primary school right through into employment. Sir Ian Wood, ‘Education Working For All!’

SCQF LEVEL 1 SCQF LEVEL 2 SCQF LEVEL 3 SCQF LEVEL 4 SCQF LEVEL 5 SCQF LEVEL 6 SCQF LEVEL 7 SCQF LEVEL 8 SCQF LEVEL 9 SCQF LEVEL 10 SCQF LEVEL 11 SCQF LEVEL 12

Choosing Learning Pathways Please see the table above for further information about qualifications and SCQF levels. These are sample pathways. Learners can progress through their learning pathways, gaining qualifications and credits, in several ways: full time at school, college or university or part time whilst at work, as part of an apprenticeship or through online or distance learning. Early Years Assistant Early Years Officer Early Years Centre Manager/Primary Teacher Primary Teacher NC Early Education & Childcare PDA Childhood Practice HND Chldhood Practice Professional Graduate Diploma Education MA Hons Degree Education BA Childhood Practice HNC Early Education & Childcare BA Hons Degree Childhood Practice Arboriculturalist/Tree Preservation Officer Manager/Consultant HND Arboriculture & Urban Forestry Diploma Forestry & Arboriculture BSc Sustainable Forest Management HNC Arboriculture & Urban Forestry NC Built Environment Pathways into working in forestry Pathways into working with children National 4National 5 National 4 Communications Assistant Senior Communications Officer/Manager HNC Media & Communications Pathways into working in the media *Creative Industries Academy: South-east Scotland schools, Borders College, Edinburgh College and Queen Margaret University partnership National 5 Pathways into working in construction BC A Highers *Inverness College and University of the Highlands and Islands partnership HND Media & Communications Highers NPA Carpentry & Joinery SVQ Level 3 Trees & Timber Modern Apprenticeship NC Built Environment Highers National 5 BA Hons Media HNC Construction Apprentice/Trainee Joiner Supervisor/Manager HND Construction Management SVQ 3 Wood Occupations (Construction) National 4 Skills for Work Construction Crafts Modern Apprenticeship Wood Occupations NC Built Environment National 5 Skills for Work Construction Crafts NC Preparation for Construction NPA Construction * BSc Forestry *

The National Parent Forum of Scotland is grateful for the support of the Scottish Government, the Scottish Qualifications Authority, SCQF Partnership, Skills Development Scotland and Education Scotland in the preparation of this series. www.parentforumscotland.org enquiries@parentforumscotland.org

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parentforumscot Further Information • Contact your school: Guidance/pupil support staff and the careers advisor can give advice. • Talk to family, friends and neighbours: Find out about different work sectors from your contacts. • Visit www.MyWorldofWork.co.uk: This Skills Development Scotland website has several useful online tools. There is information on CV building, funding for training, apprenticeships, interview techniques, job listings and much more. My World of Work also has a section for parents: http://parents.myworldofwork.co.uk • Online tools to help with choices: www.planitplus.net/careerzone • The Scottish Qualifications Authority: The SQA MySector website area www.sqa.org.uk/mysector sets out SQA learning pathways through different work sectors. • The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF): The SCQF is Scotland's national qualifications framework; an interactive version is available on www.scqf.org.uk along with clear explanations of SCQF levels and credit points. There is also a useful database for credit rated courses. • Education Scotland: Parentzone www.educationscotland.gov.uk/ parentzone now includes a section on 'Beyond School Years'. Visit www.educationscotland.gov.uk/ worldofworkonline for useful fact sheets on jobs and work sectors plus information on self-employment. • Scotland's colleges: Find links to Scotland's 25 publicly-funded college websites at http://tinyurl.com/qb3drdt • Employability skills: There are many training providers across Scotland who can help develop skills for work through work experience and training, including voluntary organisations and charities. Visit http://tinyurl.com/l9xtxeh • Apprenticeships: www.myworldofwork.co.uk/ modernapprenticeships, www.mappit.org.uk and www.apprenticeshipsinscotland.com • Setting up a business: Business G ateway www.bgateway.com and The Prince’s Trust www.princes-trust.org.uk provide practical advice and help with setting up a business. • UCAS: Search for courses on the university website www.ucas.com • Funding: www.myworldofwork.co.uk/ section/funding • The Open University: The OU www.open.ac.uk runs many flexible short courses, as well as module-based, certificated, diploma and degree courses, including a range of modules suitable for S6 learners (Young Applicants in Schools Scheme www.open.ac.uk/scotland/study/ young-applicants-schools). • SCHOLAR: www.scholar.hw.ac.uk offers a range of online SQA qualifications. • Work experience information: www.workit.info Did You K now….? • Schools will support young people into positive destinations. A 'positive destination' may be college, training, university, work or volunteering. • Scotland's 25 publicly-funded colleges, organised into 13 college regions, offer a wide range of courses and qualifications at different levels, leading on to work, other college courses or university. • Course information on college websites often sets out the next steps in learning. • Alongside its National Qualifications, the Scottish Qualifications Authority offers hundreds of work and skills-related awards and qualifications at all SCQF levels in fields such as digital media, quantity surveying, care, energy, construction, hospitality, life sciences, business. • The report 'Education Working for All!' makes recommendations for schools which include: early careers advice and world of work knowledge prior to subject choice for the Senior Phase; meaningful work experiences; the delivery of college courses and apprenticeships through school-college-employer partnerships. • The report also proposes the expansion of apprenticeship options to include foundation and advanced apprenticeships which are currently being piloted. • Modern Apprenticeships are based in the workplace: accredited training and qualifications at different SCQF levels are delivered as learners work and earn. A good understanding of the world of work and employment opportunities available is fundamentally important to all young people, irrespective of the educational and career pathways they choose. 'Education Working For All!'