Quality assurance
You must show you're meeting Skills Development Scotland (SDS) quality standards when delivering Modern Apprenticeships. Find more information about this in Quality Assurance Arrangements for Modern Apprenticeships, 2025-26 (PDF).
Learning providers need to complete and maintain a valid Self-Evaluation and Quality Action Plan. You'll complete these through the Mesma software platform – SDS will use this information to monitor your delivery.
To prepare for your Self-Evaluation, browse Self-Evaluation and Quality Action Plan Guidance For Modern Apprenticeship Provision, 2026-27 (PDF).
Self-Evaluation
Self-Evaluation and Quality Action Plan Guidance For Modern Apprenticeship Provision, 2026-27 (PDF) — this document has been designed to help you engage with the Self-Evaluation and Quality Action Plan process
Self-evaluation Exemplar, 2026-27 (PDF) — explore this example of a strong Self-Evaluation
Quality Action Plan Exemplar, 2026-27 (Excel) — explore this example of a strong Quality Action Plan
Mesma User Guide: Self-Evaluation and Quality Action Plan (PDF) — a step-by-step guide to complete your Self-Evaluation and Quality Action Plan on Mesma
Supporting quality in delivery
Quality Assurance Arrangements for Modern Apprenticeships, 2026-27 (PDF) — learn about Skills Development Scotland's Quality Assurance arrangements to enhance the delivery of Modern Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeship Quality Assurance and Programme Enhancement webinar, June 2025 (YouTube video) — this webinar recording outlines Skills Development Scotland's Quality Assurance and Programme Enhancement arrangements for 2025-26
Quality Assurance Review Analysis of Modern Apprenticeship providers, 2023-24 (PDF) — this report outlines the combined findings from Quality Assurance reviews across the 2023-24 session
Modern Apprenticeship Sustainability Review, April 2024 (PDF) — results of Skills Development Scotland's survey that measured sustainability in how learning providers administer and deliver Modern Apprenticeships
E-learning modules
Skills Development Scotland has created a range of e-learning modules. These focus on self-evaluation and quality action planning, as well as many other topics. You can access these modules through the eNetLearn portal.
Email the Quality Assurance team
If you need support with completing your self-evaluation, or with the quality assurance process, please email the Quality Assurance team on SDSQualityAssurance@sds.co.uk.
Email the Programme Enhancement team
Want to learn more about learning provider e-learning or Community of Practice opportunities? Would you like to suggest additional resources to support apprenticeship delivery?
For any queries or suggestions, email the Programme Enhancement team at ProgrammeEnhancementNTP@sds.co.uk.