A Community Worker with Inverclyde Council who has been instrumental in delivering lifelong learning opportunities across the region is in the running for a prestigious prize at this year’s Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) Star Awards.

Thanks to Alan Dean’s work at Inverclyde’s SQA Centre, people with barriers to learning now have access to SQA qualifications in a range of subjects and levels. Alan has achieved this by working in partnership with local organisations, and his success has seen him shortlisted in the SQA Champion category at the SQA Star Awards.

The SQA Star Awards recognise the achievements of individuals working towards SQA qualifications as well as the schools, colleges, training providers and employers who help to deliver SQA qualifications — that enable learners to achieve their ambitions.

Alan worked with local voluntary and community groups that help Inverclyde residents to access work and learning opportunities. Thanks to the partnership, the groups can offer the people they support the chance to undertake SQA Core Skills and Personal Achievement Awards. This is proving popular and is giving learners skills and confidence to take their learning to the next level.

Alan supervised the rollout of SQA Financial Awareness Awards as part of his work on the Inverclyde Delivering Effective Advice and Support (I:DEAS) project, which is helping people in Inverclyde gain skills in managing money.

He has also worked closely with Greenock Recovery Alcohol Support Project (GRASP) to deliver a range of workshops which has seen most of GRASPs members gaining SQA awards.

Alan has been invited to join the other finalists for a spectacular ceremony at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow on Friday 15 November.

They will be recognised for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the success stories that have taken place within Scottish education and training over the past 12 months.

In all, thirteen awards will be presented on the night for categories including School Candidate of the Year, SQA Champion, and Lifelong Learning Centre of the Year.

Of all the category winners, two will be chosen to collect SQA’s distinguished “Pride o’ Worth” awards; so named after the SQA motto and taken from Robert Burns’ poem, “A Man’s a Man for A’ That”.

SQA will also offer its highest accolade, the SQA Fellowship, to an individual who has made exceptional contributions to education and training in Scotland throughout their career.

SQA Chief Executive, Fiona Robertson, said:

“The nominations for this year’s awards reflect the dedication of candidates studying for SQA qualifications, as well as the commitment of teachers, lecturers, and specialists to providing innovative and engaging learning opportunities.

“The awards will shine a light on inspirational projects taking place in our centres – the schools, colleges, training providers, and employers who deliver our qualifications.

“I look forward to welcoming our finalists, who will come together from across the country, throughout the UK and beyond, to what promises to be a fantastic evening celebrating some truly remarkable achievements in education.”

The SQA Star Awards will be hosted by TV and radio presenter Kaye Adams and is supported by a number of sponsors, including the General Teaching Council for Scotland, the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership and Skills Development Scotland.