It was great to meet everyone at the autumn Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) conference this week.
Like you, we were interested in the big topics being discussed on the day.
We joined providers, employers, and policy makers to discuss, with last week's Budget announcements on skills, apprenticeships, and employment providing a key backdrop to the conversations.
Meeting you
The conference presented the first real opportunity for us to properly introduce VQA and share the next chapter of our journey with some of the people who know our sector best.
Our evolution to VQA is a natural progression, building on the success, experience, and foundations established as TQUK.
We hosted our own coffee lounge and had an illustrator doing personalised drawings, giving attendees the opportunity to meet us as VQA.
Key discussions
During the conference, some key discussions stood out.
We’ve provided a few insights below.
Devolution
Unsurprisingly, reform was a major theme throughout, from the future of apprenticeships and funding to devolution and the wider changing skills landscape.
Devolution is a particularly significant development, with implications for both funding and delivery. The government's plans to devolve 16–19 skills provision to mayoral combined and strategic authorities across England, alongside the introduction of new post-14 pathways, are part of a continued move towards refining locally driven skills systems, building on models already established in Greater Manchester, where VQA’s story began.
With reforms set to expand provision and accelerate devolution, we're excited to be in a position to help shape the future of the sector.
Skills focus and development
The conference also highlighted the need to ensure skills provision keeps pace with changing workforce needs.
Right now, employers are looking for training that delivers practical, job-ready skills and addresses local and national skills shortages.
The introduction of new vocational routes and greater local decision-making over skills planning means skills gaps can be filled more effectively.
By working closely with providers and employers, we'll ensure learners develop the skills that businesses and communities need both now and in the future.
However, successfully delivering on these changes will depend on strong collaboration between providers, employers, and regional authorities. With skills priorities evolving at both national and regional levels, partnerships will play a key role in ensuring the sector remains responsive, adaptable and focused.
At VQA, we're committed to supporting this ambition through qualifications and assessments that are responsive to employer needs and aligned with the evolving skills landscape.
Apprenticeship assessment and reform
The move from End-Point Assessment (EPA) to Apprenticeship Assessment (AA) was another major talking point during the conference.
Apprenticeship reform is a significant step in the right direction for achieving parity with academic routes. It has been, and continues to be, a huge undertaking for all of us involved in making policy a reality.
At VQA, our role is to bring together vocational expertise, thoughtful assessment design and responsive, personal support. We’re listening to providers and employers and using that insight, alongside market data, to shape our product roadmap and inform what we develop next.
We're currently rolling out AA standards and we’ll have more launching soon, so keep an eye out for more information on these.
Becoming VQA
VQA officially launched last week on Monday 2 November. The autumn conference was a great opportunity to bring the brand to life at an event, and it coincided with us becoming an AELP patron member.
For us at VQA, staying close to these conversations and understanding what's happening in our sector is hugely important.
Not just to respond to reform, but to play an active role in shaping what comes next, supporting our customers, and ensuring we continue to develop qualifications and assessments that meet the needs of learners, employers, and providers.
We work diligently to make sure all our providers, learners, and employers stay ahead with us, giving them the edge.
V Levels
If you’re tuned into the discussions surrounding further education, you’ll no doubt be aware that V Levels are set to roll out from 2027 to 2030, with the first subjects offered being Digital, Education and Early Years, and Finance and Accounting. And if you haven’t heard the buzz, you can find out more here.
The introduction of V levels and Level 2 Certificates to the 16-19 curriculum signals an intent from the Government to elevate vocational skills and provide opportunities for young people to begin building skills bases in key sectors as part of their formal education journey. This is of particular interest to us as we are currently developing V Level qualifications in partnership with AQA.
Driving growth through demand together
At VQA, we understand the scope of the changes being introduced in the vocational space. From the introduction of V Levels to the development of skills pathways, we’re going to continue championing vocational excellence through change.
The Autumn AELP conference presented a real opportunity for us all to get involved and collaborate on key conversations relevant to vocational pathways today.
We’re excited to see more of you at upcoming events and to bring you along on our new chapter as VQA.
We’re always excited to meet new faces working in this space. We’ll also be at the upcoming AoC event to discuss all things FE, so do come and find us for a coffee and a chat if you’re there.