Community Learning & Development career pathway opportunities

The Highland Council Adult and Youth Service has recently received CLD Standards Council developmental approval for 3 in house SCQF Level 6 qualifications.

What is Community Learning and Development (CLD) - CLD is the field of professional practice in Scotland which includes youth work, community based adult learning, family learning and community development. CLD practice enables people of all ages to identify their own individual and collective goals, to engage in learning and take action to bring about change for themselves and their communities. CLD is a key element of the education sector in Scotland.

Education Committee Chair, Cllr John Finlayson said: “The Highland Council is delighted to be the first local authority in Scotland to receive CLD Standard Council developmental approval for learning opportunities at SCQF level 6.

“Retention, development and expanding our local skilled ‘Workforce for the Future’ portfolio aligns with the Council’s ‘Our Future Highland Delivery Plan’, to enable growth in our own workforce and to help retain a skilled workforce across Highland as a key driver to developing the Highland economy and reducing depopulation.

“Through learning, our career development pathway efforts across Highland will contribute to empowering people, individually and collectively, to make positive changes in their lives and in their communities and we look forward to delivering the Community Learning and Development SCQF level 6 courses in the near future.”

What does this mean for CLD career pathways in Highland?

The CLD Standards Council endorsement of the 3 qualifications, offers an opportunity for people to begin a career in Community Learning & Development (CLD), to develop and grow our own workforce across Highland, opening a pathway towards a professional CLD qualification. It is hoped that this opportunity builds on and strengthens the work of CLD in Highland and the essential role that CLD practitioners contribute across our Highland communities.

The three courses available are as follows:

• National Progression Award (NPA) Theory and approaches to Youth Work (SCQF Level 6) 
• Professional Development Award (PDA) Introduction to Tutoring ESOL (SCQF Level 6) 
• Professional Development Award (PDA) Adult Learning in Scotland: An Introduction (SCQF Level 6)