The Association’s aims are : "to promote and develop the teaching and learning of social and vocational skills."
In the words of the constitution, the aims shall be achieved by :
Every member of the Association will receive two newsletters per year. The newsletter will provoke, inform, stimulate and encourage. Readers will enjoy articles from contributors with a wide range of interests in Social and Vocational Skills. The response of Association members to developments in Social and Vocational Skills will be actively sought through the newsletters.
Every year the Association is committed to running an annual conference. The first was held in October 1984 at Jordanhill College of Education. A large number of members from all parts of Scotland continues to attend the annual conference which offers talks, workshops and discussion sessions.
In support of the Standard Grade course in Social and Vocational Skills, the Association plays a most important role as official ‘go-between’ for those involved in teaching the course with bodies such as the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum (SCCC). The SQA actively seeks the views of the Association on a number of issues which will influence the evolution of SVS. Members can make the SAEPSVS a very powerful channel of communication.