IfATE will provide an update for awarding organisations who work with EPAs or in technical education – and this should be of interest to all who work with vocational qualifications.
• Unpacking IfATE’s review cycles in order to support AOs planning process
• Engagement of employers effectively throughout their work, including sharing some best practice observed from AOs
• Utilising IfATE publications and insights, with input from AOs on how you might want to or be able to work with the regulator to strengthen those insights
• Some information about IfATE’s SkillsCompass tool; currently in development, this is an AI tool to detect changing labour market requirements that may involve or stimulate AO market entry in certain areas

What will happen in the education sector over the coming years? If the Labour Party wins the next general election how will the landscape change? Will they change vocational qualifications or apprenticeships? As one of the leading education policy experts in the UK, there is nobody better than Steve Besley to lead us through the murky waters of what might happen when the next government is formed. Steve will …
• Outline the current education policy context
• See how the major political parties are lining up their policies to tackle current key issues
• Look at how education might shape up post-election and the educational challenges which may lie ahead to 2030

The reputation of the UK education system serves as a powerful gateway for awarding organisations seeking to market their qualifications internationally. In an interconnected world, the demand for skilled professionals is not confined by borders and this session will explore some key strategies and considerations for providing qualifications and learning content to an international market. It will include a look at the challenges and opportunities in working with a global audience, taking into account cultural nuances, regulatory variations and the diverse expectations of providers and learners.
The session will include insights into aligning qualifications with international standards, obtaining accreditation from reputable bodies and establishing partnerships with institutions worldwide to successfully navigate the complexities of the global qualifications landscape. Online platforms for course delivery and assessment, accessibility of content, language and cultural considerations will be discussed as will the potential pitfalls of international endeavours.

Qualifications Wales, an independent statutory body, regulates qualifications that are developed and delivered by the awarding bodies that we recognise and that are offered to learners in Wales. Our purpose is met when qualifications taken in Wales are trusted and valued by learners, employers and education providers and are recognised throughout the UK and internationally. This presentation will be of interest to awarding bodies who are considering offering qualifications to learners in Wales, and those who are currently doing so, and will cover:
• Recognition of awarding bodies by QW
• Key differences between QW regulatory requirements and those of other UK regulators
• Guidance, support and monitoring of awarding bodies
• Designated and Approved qualifications in Wales
• Availability of qualifications through the medium of Welsh
• Qualifications in Wales (QiW) database

This is a Q&A session with the regulators and provides you with an opportunity to ask questions related to your business or raise issues relevant to your sector. The session will be chaired by John McNamara, who will employ Paxman-like tenacity to solicit solid answers to your questions! Either raise a question on the day or submit your question in advance.

Having heard from the regulators and the potential policy directions in the previous sessions, John McNamara will reflect on the current and future challenges for Awarding Organisations – and suggest possible ways forward for our AO businesses over the coming years. John will consider the following:
• Brief review of past government skills policies
• Impact of skills policy change and reform on UK productivity since 2010
• Outline some of the main ‘pinch-points’ for any government coming into power in 2024
• What should the AO ‘wish-list’ look like?
• How should we campaign effectively to make maximum impact?
• What will success look like for AOs?