Earlier this week we launched our new defining purpose – Always Moving Forward. We caught up with Steve Smith, Managing Director to hear more about what this is and why it matters.
What is Always Moving Forward?
“It’s a mindset, it’s a mission, it’s a point of difference.
“It’s about being bold and on the front foot, it’s about being relentlessly positive and being clear about who we are cheering on!
“To us at SIAS it’s not just another strapline or campaign, it’s something that has become central to our DNA over the past 3 years, and I believe has been the single biggest driver behind the success that we have had.
“If you look at SIAS over the time of my tenure what has truly defined us? For me it’s the fact that every single day we are moving forward, some days it’s big steps, some days small, but we are never, ever, standing still.
“And, you can take your pick from a thousand ways we deliver aligned to the mantra ‘Always Moving Forward’. It could be about how we’ve disrupted the market through introducing new and very different ways to award and assess, our unique partnership model which delivers so much value to our customers, how we really embrace future technologies, or our commitment to only developing innovative modern products which rapidly transitioning STEM industries need. Or, maybe it’s simply how at SIAS we just get a lot of stuff done each and every day….ultimately it’s all about always moving forward – and that defines both our internal culture and values, but also our external offer and value proposition….and it’s what makes us different from legacy Awarding Organisations.”
Why is it important?
“Because our world is changing, because it’s moving forward as well, faster than ever!
“We are in the middle of a technological evolution so for me moving forward as an AO is no longer optional—it is essential. Always Moving Forward is our way of working to meet the needs of that changing world.
“We’ve recognised that the industries we serve, STEM employers, are facing unprecedented challenges as they transition to a 21st century industrial landscape and low carbon economy. They require modern, agile solutions to bridge skills gaps, develop talent pipelines, and future-proof their workforces – and they need to be able to work with an AO partner that can move at the same pace their world is moving at, because they need high quality awarding and assessment solutions now, not 2 years from now.
“But for me Always Moving Forward is about more than just keeping up with change; it is about SIAS trying to lead it. I can see that artificial intelligence, automation, and other emerging technologies are reshaping our sector, and we need to be a part of that, pro-active not reactive.
“SIAS qualifications and assessment, skills training, workforce development – all parts of the eco-system must evolve in tandem. Through Always Moving Forward we are going to challenge outdated models, I make no apologies for that, because it’s only through shaking things up, and pushing outside comfort zones, that we can get better and deliver solutions to Providers and Employers that will make that real transformational difference to them and importantly to learners as well.
“Above all, for me Always Moving Forward is about opportunity—new industries, new jobs, and new ways of working. Through Always Moving Forward, we are going to ensure that awarding and assessment is not a barrier to progress, but a catalyst for transformation.”
What does Always Looking Forward mean for SIAS in 2025?
“For starters it means all the above!
“And it’s going to be exciting!
“We have a range of agile, modular, STEM focused qualifications which we are taking into market – qualifications which are built in a modern way, nested and aligned to the most up to date frameworks and occupational standards, qualifications built in collaboration with industry to ensure they truly meet the needs of employers both now and in the future – and we are building 21st century digital assessments to support our qualification portfolio, which can be accessed quickly and flexibly.
“AI, Hydrogen, Nuclear, Low Carbon Transition, Carbon Literacy and Sustainability, Battery & Electrification – just some of the critical future technology spaces where SIAS Qualifications and Accredited solutions will be market leading this year.
“We are also going to be partnering with two organisations that share our Always Moving Forward values, to jointly bring to our customers new products and services which will use immersive learning, virtual reality, and AI, to both support and enhance our EPA and qualification services – this is going to really positively disrupt the market again and something I know our partners and customers are going to be excited about, so watch this space.
“We are going to be working and delivering impact not just in England now, but Northern Ireland and the other devolved nations as well – and we will be on-boarding first Provider and Employer partners internationally this year in markets across SE Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.
“By the end of this year we are planning on having our first product for schools developed as well!
“And the way we talk to our partners, the way we engage with our market, will also evolve, through Always Moving Forward we will connect with people and organisations through a shared set of values and aspirations, and for those that embrace the Always Moving Forward mindset it will be SIAS who will be cheering you on!”
