WIREDGOV

A new Professional Development Award (PDA) in Youth Work SCQF Level 6 was launched in September 2009 in Scotland.  The Scottish Qualifications Authority, Lifelong Learning UK Scotland and other stakeholders worked together to produce a qualification based on the National Occupational Standard (NOS) in Youth Work.

The award will allow new recruits, who may have little or no experience of youth work, to develop the knowledge and skills needed to show their competence against the NOS.  It will also prepare candidates for progression to SVQs (Scottish Vocational Qualifications) when working in the sector.  The award is suitable for part or full time staff, sessional workers and volunteers.

The PDA in Youth Work will also allow those currently working within the Community Learning and Development (CLD) sector, with no formal qualifications, to improve on their professional practice, keep-up-to-date with legislation, and develop best practice within their own working environment.  In addition, each of the component Units of the PDA can also be delivered individually for CPD purposes.

Further information on the PDA is available on the SQA website here: http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/36628.html

The PDA Group Award code is G9G3 46 and the award has 24 credit points at SCQF level 6.