information for practice

Perth & Kinross Council welcome the collaboration with the Scottish Institute for Excellence in Social Work Education (SIESWE) to identify key aspects of learning in the workplace. This was achieved by working with two groups of staff who charted their experiences of successfully completing Vocational Qualifications (VQs) with a focus on personal, professional and organisational gains. The Council are pleased to endorse the publication of this study which recognises the growing status and value of VQs to the creation of a skilled workforce, and applauds the effort made by staff to achieve these qualifications. Drawing on a wide range of resources, Perth & Kinross Council have invested heavily in the development of their staff to meet a variety of demands including registration requirements, best practice imperatives and demographic forecasts. In relation to underpinning the development of VQs, this can be clearly seen through the creation of a robust infrastructure with an aim to support candidates through the learning process. This publication highlights the value of VQ qualifications both to the individual and the organisation in terms of improved performance.