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Cardonald College has been accredited as Scotland’s only SQA Microsoft Lead Centre.
The College will act as the link between the Scottish Qualifications Authority, Microsoft and other Scottish colleges, providing support, delivery and training in the IT field, after being awarded this contract.
Cardonald College, already an IT Academy through Microsoft, won the title of lead centre following a rigorous tendering process. As head of the college consortium, it will cater for and support the needs of 28 other colleges throughout Scotland.
Deryck Nutley, Lead Centre Manager at Cardonald College, said: “To be named as the only College SQA Microsoft Lead Centre in Scotland is a real achievement and reflects the broad and extensive skills base we have at Cardonald College.
“Part of our remit as lead centre is to support and recruit other members of the consortium, set up test centres, discuss and implement Microsoft certifications, and offer training and support on how to deliver effectively Microsoft packages to college personnel throughout Scotland. We also provide a direct link to the Scottish Qualifications Authority for the consortium providing a strong relationship between training delivery and national certification.
“We have already been very effective in gaining additional members. When we were first assigned, the consortium only consisted of a proposed total of ten members – this has since almost tripled in size, which is fantastic news. As more Colleges become aware of the programme, the size of the consortium keeps increasing to the benefit of Scottish students.”
Malcolm Knox, General Manager of Prodigy UK and Director of the Microsoft IT Academy in Scotland, added: “I have been working closely with Deryck and his colleagues at Cardonald College for two and half years now and we are delighted with the status the FE Sector holds within the Microsoft IT Academy Programme.
“It is crucial that we have a strong working relationship to ensure that colleges not only stay up to speed and meet student’s demands for Microsoft Certification and IC3, but to also ensure that these qualifications are appropriately mapped within the SQA’s framework of qualifications.
“Notably IC3 has experienced huge growth again in 2006 with growth of 60%.” We are focused on driving good Scottish Success in the digital world. At the moment, we are gearing up for the launch of Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007 so this year proves to be very successful! We are able to offer full learning solutions to the colleges from pre-assessment tools right through to certification.”
Cardonald College also provides and tailors existing courses to include Microsoft certification – giving students the knowledge, skills and certification required and requested by employers.
Ros Micklem, Principal at Cardonald College, is also thrilled at the development.
She explained “We are delighted with the strong link that exists between Cardonald College and Microsoft. Our partnership allows us to be at the forefront of any technological progression in this area, meaning we can provide consortium members and students throughout Scotland with the best education and training possible.
“Cardonald College is recognised as having a wide range of expertise across a range of sectors, however to be accredited as a Lead Centre from such a highly-acclaimed company as Microsoft is a real accomplishment. The link will prove to be very beneficial for all colleges and students in Scotland involved in the Microsoft programme.”
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