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10. Quality
10.1 The Scottish Quality Management System ( SQMS) was introduced by the Enterprise Networks to help deliverers of training programmes better manage quality. SQMS is based on ten standards covering various areas relating to education and training provision. These standards have been developed over time and are intended to be used to provide guidelines for measuring and improving the quality of training provision and associated activities and can be used as a tool to develop organisations through structured self-assessment. The development, maintenance and third part audit function of the standards was delivered by Babcock Support Services. The Enterprise Networks require all training providers who receive support for delivering training programmes to have SQMS in place. Babcock Support Services recently took the decision to wind up their operations and offered the staff employed in these services redundancy. This was not an outcome that SEn solicited but has had the impact of removing any capacity to either review the existing standards or deliver a third party audit function.
10.2 The Enterprise Networks are reviewing the current position with regards to quality assurance and improvement, particularly as SQMS in its current format is so heavily reliant on systems and procedures. We would welcome your views on how best quality should be embedded and managed within the MA programme.
Proposal
We will work with the Enterprise Network to review the current position regarding SQMS and quality of Government training programmes.
Specific Questions
21. What are your views on the current arrangements for quality management of the MA programme?
22. Please provide any suggestions for how quality management of MAs might be improved?
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