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Learn vital skills for work and life, for free

Develop your talents and gain all-important knowledge and information about the digital world with iDEA. You can win career-enhancing badges, unlock new opportunities and, ultimately, gain industry-recognised Awards that help you stand out from the crowd.

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iDEA is an international award winning project that helps you badge your brilliance. Through our series of online challenges and events, you can win career-enhancing badges, unlock new opportunities and, ultimately, gain nationally recognised awards that help you stand out from the crowd.

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Level 3 Reform and the Outcomes of the Government's Rapid Review
This update is specific to England only and does not affect centres in the rest of the UK or overseas.

Last week we received information on the outcomes of the rapid review, which was instigated by the new government in response to the planned reform of Level 3 qualifications.

The review has given us greater assurance that our current portfolio of vocational qualifications should continue to be funded into 2027. Further to that it also means that some of our qualifications which were still subject to the defunding process are now also included in the funded offer for next year and beyond.

Alongside the current offer continuing to be funded, we are also expecting there will be an opportunity to submit our new portfolio of Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs) during 2025, with an update on next steps from Department for Education expected in Spring 2025.

The following qualifications which were subject to the defunding process will now remain funded;

60353971 - RSL Level 3 Diploma in the Creative Music Industry

60353958 - RSL Level 3 Extended Certificate in the Creative Music Industry

60353983 - RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma in the Creative Music Industry

6035396X - RSL Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in the Creative Music Industry

60176933 - RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma for Music Practitioners

6017691X - RSL Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma for Music Practitioners

60343011 - RSL Level 3 Award in Creative Digital Media

60342997 - RSL Level 3 Certificate in Creative Digital Media

6034300X - RSL Level 3 Extended Certificate in Creative Digital Media

60343023 - RSL Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Creative Digital Media

60343035 - RSL Level 3 Diploma in Creative Digital Media

60343047 - RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Digital Media

60363356 - RSL level 3 Subsidiary Diploma for Creative Industries Practitioners

60363423 - RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma for Creative Industries Practitioners

Our AAQs which we are preparing to submit to the DfE in 2025 are as follows:
Single AAQs (360 hours) in:

Performing Arts

Music

Music Production & Technology

Media

Production Arts

Art and Design

Triple AAQs (1080 hours) in:

Performing Arts

Music

Music Production & Technology

Production Arts

Art, Design and Digital Practice

AAQs will look different in terms of structure from our current Vocational Qualification specifications; however, RSL is determined to maintain our ethos of designing relevant and accessible qualifications for the creative industries. We will demonstrate how your current provision can map over into the new structure, and we will support centres in that transition.

If you have any questions about this or would like to discuss any of our existing or new qualifications with us please contact business@rslawards.com

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Level 3 Reforms: RSL Awards' Vocational Qualifications (VQs) and Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs)

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Alternative Academic Qualifications are qualifications designed for progression into Higher Education. From Sept 2026, RSL aims to have AAQs available in the following subject areas...

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Young Scot: volunteering opportunities for young people

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Young Scot: volunteering opportunities for young people

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Young Scot has lots of volunteering opportunities for you to get involved in to make a change to the things that matter.

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Most people in the youth work sector get involved through volunteering, whether with a youth service they have participated in as a young person, or coming to youth work later in life, in their local community, to gain skills or have fun. With over 70,000 volunteers regularly involved in delivering youth work in Scotland, they are the backbone of our sector.

Find opportunities

If you would like to get involved as a youth work volunteer get in touch with one of our members or check out Volunteer Scotland's portal

Training for volunteers

We believe that every volunteer should have the opportunity to complete the National Youth Work Induction, and that you should have access to continue learning, building your skills and reflecting on youth work. All our training events, online courses and resources are suitable for volunteers as well as employed youth workers. Find out more on our Training & Development Page

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Youth Work Volunteering | YouthLink Scotland

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Read more about volunteering as a youth worker, and hear the benefits from those already volunteering within the sector.

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lambs

Lochview Rural Training's aim is to promote, organise and deliver rural learning, training and career opportunities.

Lochview Rural Training (LRT) was established and registered as a SCIO in 2021. LRT's aim is to promote, organise and deliver rural learning, training and career opportunities, to improve awareness, knowledge and access to the rural landscape and to promote an understanding of the value of rural life for social wellbeing for all. The organisation is based at a working croft at Shinness near Lairg with access to around 2.5 hectares of land and a classroom to support youth development.

In 2023, the Essentia Foundation awarded the group a grant to deliver practical courses for 12 young people aged 11-25 to gain recognised certifications based around the development of personal, social and employability skills, accredited by ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network). According to the Learning and Work institute, residents in parts of the Highlands and Islands are more likely to be underemployed than other parts of Scotland, and there are fewer high paid jobs in these areas. This project aimed to reverse this trend and create positive pathways for rural youth before they enter the labour market.
The ASDAN certifications available included;

Employability Skills Development

Lifeskills Challenge

My Independence: 4 courses around Aspirations

Personal Development Programmes

Short Courses (in particular land-based sector vocational taster, animal care short course and gardening short course)

I have seen my daughter blossom, excited for croft days and planning her own future to become a crofter!

Initially, few youths enrolled, but completing certificate awardees sparked inquiries and uptake.

Over 12 months, four young people achieved animal care awards and ten earned land-based industry awards. Nine more youths are currently working towards personal development and other courses.

Now in year two of a two-year Highland Council contract targeting wider ages, Lochview is projected to certify 30+ youths by end of 2024.

Lochview Rural Training's ASDAN courses offered rural youth alternative pathways to qualifications and skills development. The customisable, portfolio-based courses suited less academic learning styles. Youth could independently study topics matching their interests and career ambitions like animal care or land-based sectors.

Attending the practical learning sessions facilitated social connections and friendships for isolated rural youth through groups like Young Crofters and ensured that in the rural north of Scotland young people are given a fair and equal chance to pursue their career goals.

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Rural Routes: Alternative Qualifications to Engage Isolated Youth | Foundation Scotland

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Lochview Rural Training's aim is to promote, organise and deliver rural learning, training and career opportunities.

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This link will take you to the interactive SCQF Framework to help you consider learner pathways. A leaner pathway is a young person’s journey through education and learning. It is important t…

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Browse SQA National Qualification Group Awards (NQGA) by subject area, including National Certificates (NCs) and National Progression Awards (NPAs).

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How does a Foundation Apprenticeship work?

As a Foundation Apprentice, you'll:

learn a skill and get work experience - while you're at school

study and work for 1 to 2 years

choose from up to 15 apprenticeships

get an equal qualification to a National 4, National 5 or Higher

do a real job with professionals

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Find out about Foundation Apprenticeships, which allow you to gain real industry knowledge and a qualification, while you're still at school. Check out the 15 Foundation Apprenticeships and discover the benefits they bring.

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https://youtu.be/-7MxZJ2ICXI

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Careers Information, Advice and Guidance service in Scotland

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https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/

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Learn more about yourself, explore your options and find the career that's right for you.

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https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/employment-help-young-people/

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Careers Advice for Young People - Youth Employment UK

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Free employment, skills training and careers help for young people. Get help with CVs and interviews, and start building your top 5 life and work skills!

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https://www.dyw.scot/young-people.html