Alliance Launches Scotland Action Plan
Following last week’s inaugural Alliance Scotland Council and Forum meetings, we are pleased to announce the publication of the Alliance Scotland Action Plan. This Action Plan, developed with all SSCs in Scotland, outlines our strategic direction to March 2009. To learn more about the kinds of collaborative activities we will be involved in, click here to access a PDF. Hard copies shall be distributed to partners shortly.
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Launch of Cross Party Group on Skills
At its recent meeting on 24 June 2008, the Scottish Parliament’s Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee has agreed to accord recognition to the Cross Party Group on Skills. The Alliance Scotland attended this meeting and looks forward to contributing to this new group. The Group's main aim is to bring together a wide range of organisations and individuals involved in skills development in Scotland to discuss and share ways in which skills development can be enhanced to bring sustainable economic benefits. A page on the Parliament website is currently in development and can be accessed here
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Refreshed Core Skills
The Core Skills Framework, NQ and Workplace Core Skills units have been refreshed ready for first candidate entry in August 2008. SQA has published a mapping of the changes between the previous and the new units. This can be access here here. A guidance note has also been produced with information on the implications of these changes to the development and review of Modern Apprenticeship frameworks. Access this here
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Scottish Skills Win UK Title
Paul Abbey from Gattonside Garage in the Scottish Borders has won the UK skills competition Skillauto Light Vehicle Repair and Maintenance. After a close competition where competitors had to demonstrate their diagnostic and repair skills on a variety of vehicles and systems Paul came out on top, receiving the praise of the judges and collecting a trophy and prizes from competition sponsor Snap On tools. Paul already holds the Scottish Champion title and with the UK title under his belt he will now enter the selection process for the Worldskills competition which is in Canada next year. If selected Paul will represent the UK automotive industry in the four day Light Vehicle competition, challenging for a world title. More ...
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Changes A-Foot for Scottish Politics
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This week has seen the resignation of the leaders of the main opposition parties in Scottish Parliament.Wendy Alexander MSP has resigned her leadership of the Labour Party in Scotland, as has Nicol Stephen MSP, leader of the Liberal Democrats. | Neither party has yet announced candidates for the leadership roles.The Alliance Scotland shall keep a close eye on how this develops and the possible implications for SSC influence in the Scottish Parliament and its cross party groups.
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Student Support
The Scottish Government has announced that around 20,000 part-time students across Scotland will be able to apply for new support from today.The support - provided in the form of a £500 grant - will be open to new and existing higher education students earning £18,000 a year or less and studying at 50 per cent or more of a full-time course. More ...
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Single Outcome Agreements
All 32 local authorities in Scotland have finalised Single Outcome Agreements setting out how they will take advantage of greater flexibility to deliver services to meet local needs. The Outcome Agreements signed off by local authorities and the Scottish Government reflect decisions by councils on the most effective routes to deliver services in line with local needs and national priorities. More ...
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Accreditation Update
SQA Accreditation will now publish the SVQ Update as an electronic document only. This can be accessed here Additionally, accreditation decisions made by the Accreditation Coordination Group, will now be posted weekly here here
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SQA Chair Vacancy
Scottish Ministers seek to appoint a new Chair of the Board of the SQA. The post attracts an annual remuneration of £13,364 for a commitment of 52 days per year. For more information click here
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Castle St Office
We now only have one vacant office available to let in our building at 28 Castle Street in Edinburgh. The office is fully serviced and available at a competitive rate. Contact Iain McCaskey for more information.
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Parliament Update
The Scottish Parliament is now in recess until 1 September 2008, when this item shall return.
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Newsletters
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