Students’ anxious wait for results
Some left not knowing if they’ve qualified
Perth College hairdressing students have been “left in limbo” as they are still to find out their end of year results or finish their course.
Speaking to the PA, one student revealed that many are still waiting to be informed if they have qualified from their courses or if they have to return to college to do resits.
The City and Guilds Group is the awarding body for the hairdressing course, which contains guidelines Perth College UHI has to follow. It has also been criticised for not informing students who have not been able to complete practical assessments due to COVID-19.
The student, who did not wish to be identified, said the group could have adopted the approach of the SQA. It announced in April that Scottish exams will be graded based on teacher estimates.
The student, who is set to graduate this year, said: “It is not the college, it is not the lecturers, it is City and Guild. They have left it so late to make up their mind regarding the qualifications.
“The SQA made announcements months ago.
“We should have been finishing up at the college this week and we don’t really know what is happening yet.
“The college lecturers have been trying to find out info from City and Guilds.
“I feel sorry for them because students have been continuously asking them ‘what is happening with my qualification?’ Am I coming back or am I not?’
“But they can’t answer because nobody has informed them. So it has been a bit of a mess.
“Some of us may not have to go back, some may have to go back to complete practicals next year.
“I have finished my practicals but I don’t know when I am going to get my qualifications because of the situation.
“I really don’t have a problem with the college as they have kept in touch with us and kept us up to date as much as possible. They have been brilliant.
“My annoyance is that City and Guild have not come out like SQA did and actually told us what is going on. They have left us in limbo.
“At the moment hairdressing shops are closed due to lockdown, but you could be in a position, theoretically, where someone has completed their level three and is looking for a job, however they have not got their qualification so they are at a severe disadvantage in the workplace.”
David Phillips, managing director for City and Guilds and ILM, said: “We understand that there are a number of students waiting for the opportunity to complete their SVQ hairdressing qualifications.
“Given the coronavirus pandemic, students have unfortunately not been able to undertake the practical assessments for this qualification in the way that they would have done in ordinary circumstances.
“City and Guilds, and other awarding bodies in the industry, are working closely with Habia, the standard setting body for the hair and beauty industry, and the regulators to agree adaptations (or alterations) to the way this qualification is assessed and hope that we will have a solution in the near future.
“We wanted to thank the students for their continued patience during this difficult time and assure them that we are working as quickly as we can to come to a resolution in this matter.”
A Perth College UHI spokesperson said: “SQA accreditation has recently approved the relevant ‘awarding body assessment strategy’ for City and Guilds, published on Friday, May 29.
“Lecturing staff had been given guidance last week on how to proceed with assessments for their SVQ provision. All our staff are working hard to ensure students successfully complete this year. Every student is encouraged to communicate with their lecturers and personal academic tutors and ensure they check their emails.”