Published 14 May 2024

West Dunbartonshire Council’s Working4U Adult Learning and Literacies Team have been pivotal in the development of a new qualification for people wanting to work in adult learning.

Adult Learning practitioners from across Scotland recently came to Clydebank Town Hall to hear about the Professional Development Award ‘Working in Adult Learning: an Introduction’.

It was developed in partnership by the Adult Learning and Literacies Team, Learning Link Scotland and West College Scotland after they identified a gap in qualifications available. It is aimed at people wanting to work in adult learning, volunteers or people who already work in adult learning but don’t have a qualification.

A successful business plan was submitted to the SQA who then offered support to write up the units for the award. 

A pilot course started in West College Scotland’s Clydebank Campus in January with a small group of six students.

The resources are now available for any approved centre to run the qualification.

Chief Officer of Housing and Employability, Peter Barry, said: “It is a fantastic achievement for our Working4U team to spot a gap in the qualifications available to people working within the adult learning sector and, through effective collaboration with our partners, develop this Professional Development Award.

“I look forward to hearing about how this can improve the experience for people working in the sector across the whole of Scotland as colleagues who attended the launch event were excited to hear about the award and are keen to deliver it in their own organisations.”