In government, the SNP has prioritised investment in infrastructure to improve public services, enhance connectivity, create jobs and grow our economy.
Aug22017
Aug22017
News story: Institute for Apprenticeships announces its External Quality Assurance delivery partner
The Institute for Apprenticeships has today announced that is has contracted with Open Awards to deliver External Quality Assurance (EQA) of apprenticeship end-point-assessment on the Institute’s behalf in 2017-18.
External Quality Assurance ensures that assessment of apprentices is being delivered effectively and consistently and is fit for purpose. Trailblazers – employers who collectively propose a new apprenticeship standard – select one of four options to deliver EQA for that standard: an employer-led group, a professional body, Ofqual or where these options are not appropriate the Institute for Apprenticeships. Today’s announcement confirms the Institute will act as a provider of EQA, through its delivery partner, Open Awards.
The Institute’s Chief Executive, Peter Lauener, said:
This is an important step forward for the Institute for Apprenticeships. We have a duty to ensure that apprenticeships equip learners with the right skills and provide the basis for lasting employment. That means putting the right structures in place to ensure that those delivering assessments are accountable and held to the highest standards themselves.
We put employers’ needs and choices at the heart of our work, and it is important that they have a choice in how external quality assurance is undertaken. I’m delighted that with today’s announcement we are able to offer the option of the Institute taking that role.
Heather Akehurst, Chief Executive of Open Awards added:
We’re delighted to be working in partnership with the Institute for Apprenticeships and look forward to helping them hold apprenticeships and assessments to the highest quality.
Further information
The decision was made following a period of public tender. The contract commenced on 1 August 2017. It includes those standards for which the Institute is the nominated external quality assurance provider and where the EPA starts before the 31 March 2018. The Institute has an option of extending the contract for a further a six months to cover standards where EPA starts before 31 September 2018. Previous estimates suggest that between 1500 and 2500 apprentices will undertake end point assessment across 36 standards which have nominated the Institute to provide EQA before March 2018.
Open Awards is an Awarding Organisation approved by Ofqual and an Access Validating Agency approved by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
Contact
For further information about this release please contact Ed Hickey, Institute for Apprenticeships, via edward.hickey@education.gov.uk, 07469 412924
Aug22017
Notice: Wm Youngs and Sons (Farms) Limited: decision on licence application
The Environment Agency notifies the public of the decision made on certain applications for the abstraction or impoundment of water.
This decision statement explains:
- who has made the application
- what decision has been made
- how the decision has been made
Aug22017
Suicides across Scotland rise by 8%
2 Aug 2017
The number of suicides recorded across Scotland rose last year by eight per cent, new figures have shown.
There were 728 cases in 2016, up from 672 the previous year.
The ISD Scotland statistics revealed males were more than twice as likely as females to take their own lives.
In addition, Scotland’s deprived areas had considerably higher suicide rates than wealthier parts.
According to the data, those between 45 and 54 accounted for the most deaths of any age group.
Scottish Conservative mental health spokeswoman Annie Wells said:
“These figures reflect hundreds of avoidable personal tragedies that have taken place in Scotland over the last year.
“The fact there has been such a notable increase should focus minds right across the board.
“There is broad agreement across all political parties that mental health now has to be a priority.
“There can’t be many topics more important than suicide, and that is why everyone in the Scottish Parliament has to work together to make sure help is on hand for those who need it.
“We’re never going to be in a situation in Scotland where we can prevent every suicide.
“But there are hundreds of lives here which could have been saved, and we have to ensure more is done to reduce these statistics in future years.”
Aug22017
State Council appoints, removes officials
The State Council, China’s cabinet, announced the appointment and removal of several senior officials Wednesday.
Luo Wen was appointed vice minister of industry and information technology; Shi Yugang was appointed deputy director of the state ethnic affairs commission.
Sun Meijun becomes deputy head of the China Food and Drug Administration.
He Jing was appointed deputy director of the liaison office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Hu Keming will no longer be deputy director of the legislative affairs office of the State Council.