Q-Validus and SQA Collaborate on Global Initiative

The Dublin-based international certification solutions provider Q-Validus has entered into a formal relationship with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) which will see the two organisations collaborating on two groundbreaking Q-Validus programmes worldwide.

The two innovative computer programmes which have achieved SQA endorsement and which will now be showcased around the SQA’s international networks are Spreadsheet Safe® and Computer Wings®.

d_carpenter_j_brown 
David Carpenter, Q-Validus and Dr Janet Brown, SQA

Spreadsheet Safe® is a cutting-edge programme designed to assist businesses in reducing the risks associated with poor spreadsheet design. Computer Wings® is an exciting new computer skills training and certification programme. It consists of ten stand-alone modules which focus on the productivity and collaborative skills required in today’s rapidly changing economy, for example, Project Manager, Newsletter Publisher, Web Creator and Web Analyser among others.

Q-Validus, which is based at NovaUCD the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at University College Dublin, was established in 2007. It is already recognised as one of the most innovative players in the certification solutions sector.

The SQA is an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB) sponsored by the Scottish Government. It is the national accreditation and awarding body in Scotland. It also operates within the rest of the UK and globally, providing hugely respected “Scottish” qualification expertise to clients worldwide.

The SQA has endorsed the content and quality of the awards of both Q-Validus programmes. Work is under way to place these qualifications within the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework rating process. They are now ready to be rolled out across Ireland, the UK and internationally.

David Carpenter, Chief Executive, Q-Validus said, “This recognition by SQA is a significant endorsement for the programmes and ensures that they meet with best practice standards while also ensuring that they map to relevant national and international qualification frameworks. This is a key element in our international strategy and we look forward to working closely with SQA to promote the programmes globally.”

David Carpenter, CEO, Q-Validus
David Carpenter, CEO, Q-Validus

SQA Chief Executive, Dr Janet Brown added, “We welcome these awards as they support the productive use of ICT in the global economy and they address specific issues around the use and integrity of spreadsheets – improved productivity and effective audit are real issues around the world. She added, “We are delighted to be associated with these computer skills programmes. They are now going to be available worldwide and we will be working together to showcase the programmes through our growing international network.”

The agreement between the two organisations was facilitated by Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government’s economic development agency. Q-Validus is supported by Enterprise Ireland and is part of the agency’s High Potential Start-up Programme.

Enterprise Ireland’s Scottish country manager, Christine Esson, said, “Q-Validus is great example of a company developing world-beating technology enabling skills programmes in Ireland at the moment. Being adopted by a national body like the SQA is real endorsement and will prove a great shop window to demonstrate to a worldwide market the productivity improvements these two programmes can deliver.” “It is not just great news for the company but also for Ireland’s reputation as a country at the very cutting edge of technological development.” she added.

ENDS

31 March 2009

For further information contact Micéal Whelan, NovaUCD, e-mail: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie, tel: (01) 716 3712.

Editors Notes

Q-Validus is an international certification solutions provider working with renowned international awarding bodies and global technology and distribution partners to develop and deliver innovative IT certification programmes which provide practical and collaborative skills appropriate to the evolving workplace.

SQA is the national body in Scotland responsible for the development, accreditation, assessment and certification of qualifications other than degrees. A further SQA aim is to increase the use of its qualifications and services throughout the UK and internationally, leading to re-investment in the Scottish education and training system. Our International Team support and develop education and training overseas through a variety of services and activities. These include:

SQA’s experience in developing standards of competence for a huge range of qualifications in the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector at all levels has enabled it to assist many countries to develop progression routes and learning ladders in their own qualifications systems, contributing to the development of National Qualifications Frameworks in other countries. These can be benchmarked against international qualifications frameworks.

NovaUCD is University College Dublin’s Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre. Twenty-six knowledge-intensive companies, including Q-Validus are currently located in NovaUCD.

Enterprise Ireland is the government agency responsible for the development and promotion of the Irish businesses. Its mission is to accelerate the development of world-class Irish companies to achieve strong positions in global markets resulting in increased national prosperity. Through our extensive network of Irish and international offices, the agency works with clients to help them compete and grow. The key focus for support is on