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ROLES OF THE PUBLIC BODIES
Development and validation of qualifications
People 1 st
People 1 st is the Sector Skills Council which supports the development of skills and training within the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector. It provides labour market research and skills foresight information for use in workforce development. It is also responsible for working with industry to set national occupational standards, develop apprenticeship frameworks and determine which qualifications need to be developed to meet industry needs. Employers can use People 1 st to communicate to learning providers what skills they need learners to have.
Scottish Qualifications Authority
The Scottish Qualifications Authority ( SQA) is the national body in Scotland responsible for the development, accreditation, assessment and certification of qualifications other than degrees. Most of the qualifications delivered in Scottish schools such as Highers are developed by the SQA, as are the majority of courses on offer in Scotland's colleges, for example Higher National Certificates. The SQA also awards the majority of all Scottish Vocational Qualifications.
The SQA does not provide funding to employers or to learners.
Universities
Universities have the power to develop and validate their own courses. They often offer industry-relevant Continuing Professional Development for people in employment and employers can also buy bespoke training from them.
Funding of, and for, qualifications
Scottish Funding Council
The Scottish Funding Council funds colleges and universities. It does not provide funding for learners or employers, although both can and do use the courses that they fund.
Skills Development Scotland
Skills Development Scotland funds Modern Apprenticeships and a range of other national training programmes. They manage a National Learning Opportunities database containing details about courses and qualifications on offer across Scotland. Through learndirect Scotland for Business, they provide a complete range of advice on training for businesses including help with finding out what funding might be available.
Quality Assurance
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education ( HMIE) evaluates the quality of pre-school education, all schools, teacher education, community learning, further education and local authorities. HMIE will review the delivery of hospitality and tourism provision in Scotland's colleges from Autumn 2009 to Summer 2010. This work will provide an overview of the quality of teaching and resources in the subject across the country.
SQA Accreditation
SQA Accreditation operates independently of the SQA as an awarding body and is responsible for ensuring that Scottish Vocational Qualifications ( SVQs) are developed and delivered to a consistently high standard. Amongst other things, they ensure that all SVQs are developed in conjunction with employers to reflect industry needs. They also approve and monitor all training providers that deliver Scottish Vocational Qualifications.
Quality Assurance Agency Scotland
The Quality Assurance Agency Scotland ( QAA) Scotland reviews how Scottish universities maintain their academic standards and quality. QAA Scotland reviews and reports on how universities meet their responsibilities, identifies good practice and makes recommendation for improvement. It also publishes guidelines to help institutions develop effective systems to ensure students have the best learning experience.
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