When recruiting staff, employers often ask for specific qualifications, such as a degree or equivalent, or a specific number of Highers or equivalent. Understanding what that ‘equivalent’ might be helps to maximise the range and diversity of your potential applicants.

This set of web pages will take you through the process of how to match the level of a job role to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). You can use this information to make your recruitment more inclusive and for workforce development.

The resource includes individual webpages which describe the skills, experience and job competencies a potential employee would have at each SCQF level. You can directly link to these descriptions from job adverts.

What is the SCQF?

The SCQF is Scotland’s national qualifications framework. It provides a way to recognise, describe and compare the difficulty and time required to achieve a range of qualifications and learning programmes. In addition to mainstream qualifications, the SCQF also includes vocational and skills-based qualifications and learning programmes developed and delivered in the workplace or community.

By using SCQF levels in your recruitment processes instead of specific qualifications, you can significantly widen your pool of applicants, who may have a wealth of skills and experience, or alternative qualifications, at the required level. This ensures you get the best range of suitable candidates for your job roles. Ensuring people are working at the right level and using their skills also helps with employee morale and retention.

This is a free service

This guidance can be used by any organisation, regardless of size.

This is a quick and easy resource to use.

Visit the 'Know Your SCQF Level - Job Roles' page on the SCQF website for more information.