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SQA set to recruit new appointees
The campaign to recruit a new generation of appointees to help shape the new National Qualifications has been launched by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
This initial recruitment drive will run throughout September and October and candidates short listed for senior appointee roles will be invited to attend interviews towards the end of November with appointments made shortly afterwards.
This recruitment phase will see over 40 senior appointees take up new roles for the new National 5 qualifications. These teams will develop and quality assure the new assessments for the first examination diet of the new National Qualifications in 2014.
Opportunities are open to existing appointees as well as teachers hoping to work with SQA for the first time.
Teaching Scotland spoke to Jacqui Faulds (JF), Head of Appointee Management at SQA, about the start of the recruitment campaign and how the recruitment of appointees will be managed.
What is the significance of this recruitment drive?
(JF): The development and implementation of the new National Qualifications is one of the biggest changes to education in a generation.
It's a huge management task set against a tight deadline to get sufficient appointees recruited, trained and working on the new National Qualifications, but it's one we're confidently looking forward to.
What are the main benefits of becoming an appointee?
(JF): The teachers who will work with us on the new National Qualifications will get an invaluable insight into assessment and quality assurance techniques that will underpin their professional and career development. I'm sure this experience would be exceptionally valuable at a personal and professional level.
Appointees will gain the satisfaction of working as part of a team delivering high quality assessments and standards and their greater understanding of the new qualifications will allow them to assist colleagues in implementing SQA processes and procedures.
Will the new assessment system be attractive to existing SQA appointees?
(JF): Yes, we value the experience and professionalism of our existing appointees and hope that many of them will be interested in continuing working with us.
How are you preparing schools and colleges for the new assessments?
(JF): For the past year, our Curriculum for Excellence Liaison team has been visiting schools and colleges throughout Scotland to explain the development process, answer questions that teachers have and collect feedback to gauge what further support is needed to deliver the new National Qualifications.
We currently have a significant number of teachers and lecturers involved in the development process and to be as open and transparent as possible, we are regularly publishing all the associated documentation relating to the new qualifications on our website.
What are you looking forward to?
(JF): I'm excited about the work involved recruiting the full complement of appointees for the first diet of the new qualifications in 2014, but I'm particularly looking forward to the start of the campaign, and having a chance to go through the applications we receive.
Once we get this group of senior appointees appointed and trained, the drive will resume, looking for the next tranche of appointees. It's a cycle, but one I'm glad has begun.
For more information on becoming a SQA appointee, visit www.sqa.org.uk/cfevacancies