www.scqf.org.uk/support/support-for-employers
What is the SCQF?
The SCQF is Scotland’s national qualifications framework and provides a way of recognising, describing and comparing the difficulty and time taken to achieve a wide range of qualifications and awards. In addition to mainstream qualifications, the SCQF contains vocational and skills-based qualifications, and learning programmes developed and delivered in the workplace or community. www.scqf.org.uk/support/support-for-employers/understanding-qualifications/
Why should SCQF levels be included in recruitment?
When recruiting staff, how you specify the level of skill or competence that you need applicants to have is important. Job adverts often ask applicants to have a degree or equivalent, or Highers or equivalent. Understanding what that ‘equivalent’ might be is essential to maximising the range and diversity of potential applicants. For example, a Higher sits at SCQF level 6, however only 7% of qualifications at this level are Highers.
By using SCQF levels in your recruitment processes instead of specific qualifications, you can significantly widen your pool of applicants, who may have a wealth of skills, experience, or qualifications at the required level. This ensures you get the best range of candidates for your job roles. Ensuring people are working at the right level also helps with employee morale and retention.
How do I know what level to ask for?
It’s very important to recruit people with the right level of skills and experience, and to also recognise that some people may not have qualifications at the required level but may have a wealth of equivalent skills and experience. Our SCQF Employer Levelling Tool can help you understand what SCQF level you should be asking for and also helps you to recognise skills and experience at different levels.
www.scqf.org.uk/support/support-for-employers/employer-guide-and-levelling-tool/
SCQF Inclusive Recruiter
We run a recognition scheme, called SCQF Inclusive Recruiter, for employers who use SCQF levels in recruitment instead of specific qualifications. The process is simple and does not cost anything. We provide training covering how to recognise and compare qualifications across Scotland and beyond, level your job roles to the SCQF, recognise skills and experience, and word job adverts.
www.scqf.org.uk/support/support-for-employers/scqf-inclusive-recruiter/
Know Your Level Tool
Our online Know Your Level Tool allows you to link to different SCQF levels from your job adverts, helping to make your requirements clearer for potential applicants.
✅ Inclusive
- This role would suit someone working at SCQF Level 6
- You will be educated to SCQF Level 8 or have relevant skills and experience in …
- Qualifications or skills and experience at SCQF Level 9 (e.g. Degree, Graduate Diploma)
❌ Not Inclusive
- Minimum 3 Highers
- Qualified to HND level in a relevant discipline
- Degree or Equivalent
www.scqf.org.uk/support/support-for-employers/know-your-level-job-roles/
Workshops
We run free workshops for employers. See www.scqf.org.uk/workshops/categories/workshops-for-employers/ for more information and to book.
How do I find out more?
If you would like to find out more about any of the above, please contact Nicola Smith at n.smith@scqf.org.uk or info@scqf.org.uk
