Nine new Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ) will be ready for a new intake of Apprentices in August, according to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

The SVQs will be formally incorporated into the Skills Test, an assessment of a candidate's occupational competence in their craft, such as bricklaying, plastering or stonemasonry.

The CITB launched a consultation in early 2017 on the Skills Test element of the SVQs.

A by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) highlighted that the Skills Test was not currently a formal part of the SVQ award and was at risk of removal from the framework, raising concerns over whether the 2017/18 apprenticeships programme in Scotland could continue.

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Over the course of 14 consultation events with more than 173 employers in Scotland, 95% of participants voted to keep the Skills test within the SVQ. Many said they wished to make it an integral part of the apprenticeship programme, rather than a separate process.

Ian Hughes, CITB Strategic Partnerships Director in Scotland, said: "When the industry told us that they wanted to keep the Skills Test, we took action.

"In March, we presented employer feedback to representatives of the Scottish Government, the SQA, and industry representatives. The SQA agreed to accept the results of our consultation. CITB responded by developing nine new craft SVQs incorporating a new Skills Test unit which met regulatory and employer requirements. This provides an easier process for employers, with far less paperwork. It is another example of how CITB works closely with industry to make sure that the qualifications and standards we look after are constantly being tailored to meet their needs.

"I'm pleased to say that with support of this fully integrated and assured SVQ, the newly refreshed apprenticeship framework will be in place in time to commence new apprentice sign ups in August."

(LM/MH)