SQA used Getenergy 2008, the annual global education and training exhibition and conference, to launch the first of a suite of International Vocational Awards (IVAs) developed to meet the needs of the international oil and gas industry.
Designed to provide a qualification that is internationally recognised as a product of quality and integrity, the IVA structure is flexible to allow the content of the qualification to be tailored to the industry workforce development needs, such as:
• entirely vocational knowledge and understanding suitable for use in college, technical institute or training centre
• entirely occupational skills development for use in the work place
• combination of occupational skills together with associated vocational knowledge and understanding.
SQA believe that the following prime features of the IVA make this a truly exceptional qualification type:
• Developed by specialists for the industry and in conjunction with the industry
• Mapped to relevant occupation standards with international standing within the industry
• Comprehensive, clear and precise assessment strategy to assure consistency of competence assessment
• Validated by a panel of independent industry and education experts and potential stakeholders to ensure the IVA is a fit-for-purpose qualification
• Rigorously quality assured to international standards through regular SQA verification processes and practices.
• Internationally recognised and benchmarked in level via the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework
This first IVA in Hydrocarbon Process Operations, at SCQF Level 5, provides certification for the knowledge and understanding in the S/NVQ Level 2 in Processing Operations: Hydrocarbons. Significant interest in this qualification is already being strongly expressed shown from global companies operating across the Middle East, in Africa and the America’s.
An equivalent qualification to support the S/NVQ 2 in Processing Engineering Maintenance will be available very soon.
Details of this particular award can be found on the SQA website: www.sqa.org.uk/oilandgas or contact the Oil and Gas Team on oilandgas@sqa.org.uk
