Wigan & Leigh College has officially been approved as a SIAS Approved Centre and is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of innovation-focused education. Launching in September 2025, this partnership marks a significant milestone as SIAS unveils a brand-new suite of regulated Innovation Qualifications to support Industry, developed in collaboration with Wigan & Leigh College and the Further Education Innovation Fund.

These modern qualifications have been designed to equip learners with the mindset, knowledge, and tools needed to drive innovation, sustainability, and efficiency across any industry setting, super-charging businesses and sparking growth in the region and nationally.

As part of this exciting collaboration, SIAS and Wigan & Leigh College are proud to launch:

• SIAS Award in the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Business
• SIAS Award in the Introduction to Net Zero and Sustainability in Business
• SIAS Award in the Introduction to Developing an Innovation Strategy for Business

Whether delivered in the workplace or in a mixed-business classroom, these qualifications empower individuals to turn ideas into action and lead change.

Steve Smith, Managing Director of SIAS, said: “We are delighted to welcome Wigan & Leigh College as a SIAS Approved Centre. Their forward-thinking approach and strong employer links make them the perfect organisation to be a first mover delivery partner for our new regulated Innovation Qualifications.

“At SIAS, we’re committed to powering futures and shaping the next generation of talent. This partnership reflects our shared mission to deliver bold, meaningful change through qualifications that drive innovation, sustainability, and strategic thinking across sectors. By working together, we’re creating impactful, industry-aligned learning that reflects the pace and needs of tomorrow’s industries.

“SIAS isn’t just an awarding organisation – we’re a movement. And we’re proud to move forward with Wigan & Leigh College as we continue to spark innovation, unlock potential, and deliver lasting impact.”

Anna Dawe, Principal of Wigan & Leigh College, commented:

“We are proud to be working with SIAS to pioneer this exciting new suite of qualifications. Innovation is critical to the future of our economy, and these courses will equip both learners and businesses with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

“At Wigan & Leigh College, we are committed to providing forward-thinking, industry-relevant education that prepares our students for success and this partnership is a perfect example of that commitment in action.”

This strategic partnership reflects SIAS’s unwavering commitment to supporting the UK’s technical education landscape – and to creating future-ready qualifications that make a difference.

For more information about this qualification and other awarding services, please contact partnerships@siasuk.com.

SIAS is absolutely delighted to be the chosen Awarding Organisation to partner with the Confederation of Paper Industries consortium to develop and deliver new qualifications that support this vital sector and ensure a highly skilled, future-ready workforce.

This strategic collaboration reflects a shared commitment to developing cutting-edge, industry-aligned training that meets the evolving needs of the UK paper industry and supports long-term sustainability and innovation.

The UK’s paper-based industries are essential to everyday life – from packaging and hygiene products to sustainability leadership and job creation across the country. With no existing vocational papermaking courses available in the UK, this initiative fills a critical gap and provides a practical pathway for young people to enter the industry.

Andy Barnetson, Executive Director – Competitiveness at CPI, commented:

“The UK’s paper-based industries underpin countless aspects of modern life – from food and e-commerce packaging to essential hygiene products. We’re proud stewards of a renewable, recyclable raw material, and our sector plays a vital role in the UK’s social, economic, and environmental wellbeing. But our future depends on developing the right skills. That’s why this qualification is so important – it ensures we attract and train the next generation of papermakers who will keep this essential industry thriving.”

Steve Smith, Managing Director of SIAS, said: “We’re proud to be working alongside the Confederation of Paper Industries to support one of the UK’s most essential sectors. This partnership is the perfect example of how collaboration can drive forward innovation and workforce development. At SIAS, we’re focused on powering the future of UK industry through bold, practical, and impactful qualifications – and this marks a major step in that journey. We’re looking forward to sharing more details of this partnership soon.”

For more information on our services and products, please contact partnerships@siasuk.com

For this International Women in Engineering Day, we’re proud to spotlight Andrea Roberts, our Lead Internal Quality Assurer. Her story reflects what SIAS stands for: challenging outdated traditions, unlocking potential, and powering the next generation of talent.

Thank you taking the time to speak to us on International Women in Engineering Day 2025.
Please could you introduce yourself and provide an overview of your career journey?

Hello, I’m Andrea Roberts, Lead Internal Quality Assurer at SIAS. I’ve been here almost three years now. My background is in electrical and instrumentation engineering, mainly in the petrochemical and industrial sectors. I started as an apprentice and over time moved into mentoring, assessing, and eventually quality assurance. My role at SIAS bridges the gap between the quality team and assessors, ensuring standards stay high while also being practical and fair.

What was your first role in engineering, and how did it shape your career?

I started my apprenticeship at 18 with a company in Manchester, at a time when few women worked in engineering. I was the only female engineer on a site of 2,000 people. That experience taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of proving yourself through hard work. It gave me a solid technical foundation and shaped my approach to every role since.

Can you share a success story where your engineering insight made a measurable impact?

At SIAS, I helped improve our approach to standardisation and assessment quality. I’ve worked to bring structure and clarity to how assessments are delivered, using my practical experience to support assessors and explain challenges to the quality team. It’s made our approach more aligned, realistic, and effective.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in engineering, and how did you overcome them?

Being the only woman in a male-dominated environment came with its challenges. I had to adapt quickly and prove my capability. At the time, some people didn’t expect a woman to do the job, but I earned respect by working hard, taking on responsibility, and showing I could do the work just as well as anyone else.

What does International Women in Engineering Day mean to you personally?

It’s a chance to highlight the value women bring to engineering – skills like organisation, logical thinking, and creativity. It’s also about breaking outdated stereotypes and showing young women that engineering is a diverse, exciting field with real opportunities for everyone.

What message would you give to women considering or starting an engineering apprenticeship?

Follow your heart. If engineering is what you want to do, go for it. Focus on your training, stay determined, and don’t let anyone discourage you. There’s now more apprenticeship opportunities for women –  work hard, be curious, and focus on doing what you love.

Please let us about who you are and your role at SIAS?

Hi, I’m Bethan! I’m a Product Development Manager here at SIAS, where I focus developing and maintaining SIAS qualification, assessment and accreditation products.

How long have you been at SIAS for?

I have been at SIAS for 6 months now.

What was your background before you joined the organisation?

Before joining SIAS, I was a science teacher. Prior to that, I worked in zoos, where I spent a lot of time educating young people about conservation and delivering talks on the animals in our care.

What does a typical day look like for you?

In my role, I manage a portfolio of qualifications and standards, either leading their development or collaborating with others. I also work closely with external subject matter experts to ensure our apprentices receive the most accurate and relevant information possible.

There’s a lot happening at SIAS at the minuet, what have you found to be the most exciting thing?

I’m really excited about the direction we’re taking with renewable energy qualifications. As a business, we’re moving into the low-carbon sector, which feels really forward-thinking. New qualifications in areas like hydrogen energy hold a lot of promise, and personally, I’m passionate about green technology and sustainability, so this is a perfect blend of my interests and work.

Tell us a little bit about yourself outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy walking my dogs and staying active. I’m also a big video gamer. In my spare time, I volunteer with the Air Cadets, where I get to work with young people and help support their development.

Do you have a final thought for readers?

As an EPAO, SIAS stands out because we’re innovative and responsive. We’re always open to new ideas and work closely with partners to develop qualifications that truly meet market needs. Our approach is flexible and forward-looking, and we’re proud to deliver products that help shape the future of apprenticeships.

In this week’s meet-the-team article, we are talking to Charlotte Taylor-Jones, Executive Assistant and Administrator.

Thank you for joining us Charlotte, please tell us more about who you are and your role at SIAS?
Hi, I’m Charlotte, known as Charly, and I am the Executive Assistant to the Managing Director of SIAS, Steve Smith.

How long have you been at SIAS for?
I have worked at SIAS now for around 5 months, and I’ve loved every second.

What was your background before you joined the organisation?
Before joining SIAS, I was working in the Aviation and Events industry. I mainly worked across personal assistant roles across the aviation sector.

What does a typical day look like for you?
My typical day at SIAS includes diary management for Steve, minute taking for SIAS’s Senior Leadership Team and ad hoc tasks like booking travel and accommodation for people within he business. I also work closely with the Admin and Operations teams to help them with any administrative needs they have.

There’s lots happening at SIAS with a growing product portfolio. What have you found to be the most exciting thing?
As a whole, I am really excited to see how SIAS grows over the next few years and the direction that the business is stepping in.

Please tell us a little bit about Charly outside of work?
Outside of work I like to be as active as possible, with hikes, dog walks, spin classes, weight training and going to gigs. My current goal is to complete the Three Peaks Challenge in 2026!

Do you have a final thought for our readers?
As a final thought I would like to say how incredible it is to work for a company like SIAS, and I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for myself and the business.

South Eastern Regional College (SERC) has officially been approved as the first SIAS Approved Centre in Northern Ireland, and will be delivering modern, modular regulated qualifications in Healthcare Estates and Facilities Engineering. This significant milestone follows an ongoing collaboration between SERC, SIAS, and Belfast Health and Social Care NHS Trust to develop innovative and industry-relevant training courses and qualifications.

As part of this partnership, we were delighted to be launching the first qualification – the SIAS Level 2 Certificate in the Fundamentals of Healthcare Estates. The qualification addresses crucial skills gaps in the healthcare sector and ensures estates professionals are equipped with the knowledge and competencies required for modern operations.

Steve Smith, Managing Director of SIAS, commented: “I am delighted to welcome SERC as our first SIAS Approved Centre in Northern Ireland. This collaboration marks a crucial step in our unwavering commitment to supporting the Northern Ireland technical and vocational skills agenda. The launch of the SIAS Level 2 Certificate in the Fundamentals of Healthcare Estates is just the beginning, and we look forward to working with SERC across a range of wider qualification and curriculum areas to support key, STEM industries in Northern Ireland – inclusive of future technologies to support the Green Energy transition.

“SERC are a fantastic College whose values and ethos very much align with our own, their high-quality provision and the way they positively support employers and learners to achieve skills and workforce development goals is exciting. We look forward to being able to contribute and add value to the important work and impact which SERC deliver to the communities they serve.”

Stephen McGreevy, SERC Lead Business Manager, added: “We are delighted to become a SIAS Approved Centre, and we are looking forward to bringing candidates on board and starting the course delivery in our dedicated, specialist campus facilities.

“Working with SIAS, an innovative, dynamic Awarding Organisation has been an exciting process, and we are proud to have come to the end of that journey as the first centre in Northern Ireland to achieve SIAS approved status.

“We have secured interest from major employers who appreciate our commitment to meeting industry needs, and I know that our continuing collaboration with SIAS will produce further opportunities to deliver professional, skilled personnel to meet industry needs.”

The launch of this qualification is a major step forward in the drive to professionalise and modernise healthcare estates and facilities engineering training. Following the launch of the Level 2 course in January 2025, a Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma will launch in September 2025.

For more information about this qualification and other awarding services, please contact partnerships@siasuk.com.

At SIAS, we believe the journey to net zero starts with skills. That’s why we’re committed to developing qualifications, and wider awarding solutions, that are rigorous, agile, and which perfectly align to the future skills needs required for rapidly transitioning global STEM industries.

We caught up with Lindsay Price, Head of Commercial, to talk about SIAS’s commitment to supporting the hydrogen industry and our recently launched L2 Award in the Introduction to Hydrogen Safety – the first regulated qualification in the UK aligned to the Hydrogen Skills Framework.

A growing industry needs new skills

The Hydrogen industry is a rapidly evolving sector with the potential for this green energy source being rapidly harnessed. This therefore requires an agile and qualified workforce to respond quickly and safely to the new skills that this energy source demands. The upskilling and redeploying of workers currently in complementary industries is the key to efficiently convert to working with Hydrogen from traditional energy sources.

Leading with the first Hydrogen Qualification

SIAS are the first Awarding Organisation to develop provision aligned to the  Hydrogen Skills Framework, published by the Hydrogen Skills Alliance.  This Framework has been developed by industry experts and regulators to identify exactly what skills will be required for the future workforce in this vital industry. The SIAS Level 2 Introduction to Hydrogen Safety is the first qualification in the Hydrogen suite to be launched. This Ofqual regulated qualification is designed for both technical and non-technical staff, and supports workforce development by providing individuals with the foundational knowledge needed for safe and compliant hydrogen operations, contributing to the transition to a low-carbon economy.

What’s coming next

The next step in the SIAS development phase will be a large suite of modular qualifications aimed both to cover the occupations across the Hydrogen value chain, and then the job roles within those occupations. This approach will provide role and occupation-specific regulated qualifications, to allow Providers and Employers to deliver exactly what their workforce requires.

Working together for a skilled sector

There are many stakeholders which make up the eco-system of Hydrogen training, from the Employer themselves, to regulators, Combined Authorities, advisory groups, training providers, and the landscape can be uncertain when it comes to understanding what skills are required and what content should be delivered. SIAS is committed to working in partnership with industry to create the qualifications which will give stakeholders exactly what they need for the Hydrogen workforce, and will ensure consistency and quality across the sector.

If you are interested in discussing our Hydrogen qualifications further, please contact us at partnerships@siasuk.com

SIAS, a leading Awarding Organisation for science, manufacturing, engineering and low carbon industries, and Reynolds Training Services, a training provider for technical training for onsite professionals in the process industries, are delighted to announce that Reynolds Training Services has officially become a SIAS Approved Centre.

This achievement highlights both organisations’ commitment to raising standards in training, qualification provision, and assessment within STEM industries.

Steve Smith, Managing Director of SIAS, said: “We are thrilled that Reynolds Training Services has become a SIAS Approved Centre and will be initially delivering our new L2 Award in in the Introduction to Hydrogen Safety and Level 2 Award in Process Safety Awareness qualifications.

“We are really committed to continuing to work with Reynolds Training, their employer partners, and wider stakeholders,  to develop and take into market later this year a modern, modular, wider portfolio of qualifications to support the Bulk Liquid/Tank Storage sectors – this partnership  reflects our mutual dedication to delivering high-quality training and qualifications that align with labour market demands across key UK industries.”

Managing Director of Reynolds Training Services, John Reynolds, commented: “This step is a key strategic aspect of our growth and how we develop and position qualifications and career pathways for Bulk Storage Operations, Process Industries and other associated sectors.

The move is about how we partner with SIAS across a range of elements and develop as an Independent Training Provider, we are collaborating closely with SIAS, the Tank Storage Association and wider sector on development of a qualification structure that will be industry leading, whilst at the same time able to access other qualifications that will underpin our service delivery.

Our first courses being delivered under our SIAS Centre that will lead to a Level 2 Qualification will be Process Safety and Hydrogen… Dates will be announced very soon.”

This partnership marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, reinforcing both organisations’ commitment to supporting industry professionals with top-tier training and qualifications that drive excellence across the sector.