Paul Burnand

Topic: Systems perspective - National and Sectoral Qualifications Frameworks
Company: Policy Consultant, Sector Skills Development Agency,
United Kingdom

Paul Burnand is a Policy Consultant with the Sector Skills Development Agency in the United Kingdom. The SSDA is a non-departmental government body which works with the 25 Employer led Sector Skills Councils as the Skills for Business Network. The SfBN represents the voice of employer demand in education, skills and employment developments across the UK working closely with Departments and Devolved Administrations and other key stakeholders in the UK system.

Paul has represented the Agency and the Skills for Business Network on the Framework Development Sub-Programme Board and the Sector Qualification Reform Sub-Programme Board of the UK Vocational Qualification Reform Programme. He was also a member of a series of technical working groups responsible for developing the technical specifications for the proposed Qualifications and Credit Framework which will replace the current National Qualifications Framework. His current memberships include the Foundation Learning Tier Programme Board, Strategic Advisory Groups for Level 2 and Level 3 Qualifications and the Joint Forum for Higher Levels. He is also a member of the Credit Common Accord Forum for the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales and in a previous role, a member of the Steering Group for the SVQ Credit and Levelling Project, part of the ongoing programme of work to develop the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. Paul has also represented the Agency at European level in connection with the development of the European Qualifications Framework.

Prior to joining the SSDA in November 2005, Paul worked in a number of roles in the Further and Adult & Community Learning sectors of the UK system, including Ufi, the largest provider of e-learning in the world and for a regional awarding body and a major college of Further Education. He had previously worked for several years in the Retail Sector.

Paul graduated from the University of East Anglia with an honours degree in English Studies Post 1680 and holds a Masters in Cultural Studies gained through self directed, distance learning with the Open University.