Further to the update provided in May 2026 re Job Evaluation, the Joint Secretaries completed a piece of work to explore alternative scheme providers for Job Evaluation to understand if any scheme providers (including that of the current provider ECC-FEDRA) are able to provide the level of satisfactory transparency to move forward.   

As such, the Joint Secretaries have now since met with all the following potential scheme providers.

•    ECC-FEDRA
•    SJC
•    Sterling Reward
•    AOC/Pilat
•    I-JEG
•    Zellis

Please note, Zellis was not on the original list as advised in the May 2026 communication but as a current local scheme provider in the sector to a number of colleges, the Joint Secretaries agreed to meet with them following a request directly from Zellis. 

The Joint Secretaries have now concluded this piece of work and have provided a written report to the Job Evaluation Project Board (JEPB) with their findings.  In addition, the Joint Secretaries have also advised the JEPB that in the absence of confirmation from the Scottish Funding Council on who will be appointed as an independent hearing authority to conduct a Lessons learned investigation and final report (February 2026 update), to ensure confidence in the process going forward, the Joint Secretaries have agreed to postpone any further discussions with alternative scheme providers until they receive a concise update from SFC as to who is going to conduct the review, and the requisite time parameters applicable.

The Head of National Bargaining has written to all of the alternative scheme providers providing an update of the current position and informed them that we will revert to them as soon as we are in a position to move forward.  

It is regrettable that we have had to pause this area of work, however, it would be remiss of the Joint Secretaries to progress any further at this time without clarity from the SFC on when the Lessons Learned process will commence.

We will of course continue to update as soon as we are in receipt of any additional information.