From welcoming so many of you at our exhibition stand, to co-sponsoring the Closing Network Reception, and finally, celebrating the very best in apprenticeships at the Apprenticeship & Training Awards – it’s been an incredible week for SIAS at ATC2025.

Across the two days, we had a brilliant time connecting with passionate professionals who share our vision for the future of skills. We were also honoured to co-sponsor the the Closing Network Reception with Innovate Awarding and Learning Curve Group, perfectly closing two days of learning, connection, and progress in the skills sector.

As the proud sponsor of the Best Partnerships in Training Award, we’d like to say a huge congratulations to Umbrella Training & Home Grown Hotels, and all the other winners and finalists. It was a privilege to celebrate the exceptional achievements of employers and training providers across the UK, recognising their vital role in developing a skilled and diverse workforce.

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat and shared their insights on how we can continue to move the skills sector forward.

SIAS isn’t just an Awarding Organisation – we’re a movement. A commitment to progress. A promise to inspire. Together, let’s shape the future of skills.

Let’s keep #AlwaysMovingForward together.

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 21^st 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 21^st 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!”

Last week several policy changes impacting Apprenticeships and End-Point Assessment were announced by the DfE during National Apprenticeship Week 2025.

These changes included the introduction of Shorter Minimum Duration for selected Apprenticeship standards, the removal of Functional Skills achievement as a Gateway requirement for 19+ Adult Apprentices on all Occupational Standards effective immediately, and an announcement around future changes to End-Point Assessment, with Apprenticeship Assessment and EPA moving in time to a ‘principles-based’ model.

At SIAS we support the over-arching intentions behind these changes – everyone within this great sector agrees that less cost coupled with more starts, speed, flexibility, consistency, and ultimately achievement, across the entirety of the apprenticeship journey, can only bring benefit – but quality must be equally important if we truly aspire to have a credible and world leading skills offer.

For many Employers, especially across the STEM industry’s that SIAS supports, English and Maths will always remain an important part of developing job readiness. So, whilst we welcome these additional flexibilities around L2 English and Maths for those involved in Apprenticeship delivery, we also recognise the importance of Employer and Provider choice – as an industry led organisation, we are looking forward to supporting all our partners with their decisions and choices around English and Maths requirements.

In relation to the shift over time to a different and principles-based End Point Assessment model, I do have some early concerns around how thought-through these announced changes have been to this point, there are certainly more questions than answers right now for all stakeholders to consider, and I believe potential challenges ahead in terms of how this could be rolled out in a way that can actually deliver tangible positive improvements and cost benefits for all – this needs to achieve real deliverables, and not just be another change for the sake of change.

However, what is in no doubt is that seven years into EPA, and with the market maturing, it is the right time to look at what has worked well to date, and where improvements can now be made – Awarding Organisations playing a more central role in the re-design of new Assessment Plans, a firm commitment to retaining an independent quality assurance and delivery of assessments, alongside more direct involvement from Providers and Employers in certain parts of the assessment process, appear at this stage central to the Departments objectives.

Getting the balance right as more details and timelines emerge, and implementation begins to take shape, will be pivotal – finding that sweet spot between speed, flexibility and short term gains, balanced with independent quality and rigour, is the only way to ensure that our Apprenticeship offer in England remains fit for purpose and relevant as a confirmation of a learners competency, skills and knowledge – something which at SIAS we take incredibly seriously, particularly given the technical and often high hazard environments across which many of the Apprentices we support work, learn, achieve, and progress.

We will of course continue to work closely with the Department, Federation of Awarding Bodies, Ofqual, and our valued Employer and Provider partners, as we continue to understand future detail behind these policy changes.

Steve Smith

The National Skills Academy for Nuclear (NSAN) has been officially approved as the third SIAS Approved Centre to deliver SIAS qualifications, marking a significant milestone in advancing skills development within the nuclear sector. This partnership will facilitate the creation of a new regulated qualification – the SIAS Level 2 Award in Growing Awareness in the Nuclear Industry.  This qualification will underpin NSAN’s widely recognised Growing Awareness in Nuclear (GAIN) Lite training programme.

The qualification has been meticulously designed to address the needs of non-technical employees, including early careers entrants, recent recruits, and professionals transitioning into the nuclear sector. Developed through collaboration between NSAN, nuclear employers, and industry experts, this one-day training programme, now underpinned by the SIAS Level 2 Award in Growing Awareness in the Nuclear Industry, is specifically tailored to prepare individuals for the unique demands of working within the nuclear industry. By easing the transition into the sector, GAIN Lite provides a solid foundation for new entrants and supports employers in meeting their induction and upskilling requirements.

Steve Smith, Managing Director at SIAS, said: “We are delighted to welcome NSAN as our third Approved Centre for Qualification delivery. Their commitment to high-quality training provision and their understanding of the nuclear sector is respected across industry. The development of the SIAS Level 2 Award in Growing Awareness in the Nuclear Industry in collaboration with NSAN, exemplifies the type of modern and innovative Qualifications that SIAS is committed to developing. We look forward to working closely with NSAN to further enhance the skills and qualifications landscape in this critical industry for the UK and globally.”

Zoë Whittington, Head of Business Development at NSAN, said: “We are thrilled to have become one of the first SIAS Approved Centres and to launch the SIAS Level 2 Award in Growing Awareness in the Nuclear Industry. The GAIN programme has already been instrumental in preparing individuals for the nuclear sector, and this new qualification developed to align and support this provision is a testament to its success and impact. We’re proud to have worked with employers and experts to develop a solution that meets the sector’s needs, and we’re excited to see how this partnership with SIAS will further benefit the industry.”

The collaboration between NSAN and SIAS represents a step forward in meeting the evolving demands of the nuclear workforce, ensuring employees are well-equipped to succeed in their roles. This partnership highlights the ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation in nuclear skills training, supporting the sector’s long-term growth and sustainability.

SIAS, a leading Awarding Organisation for science, manufacturing, engineering and low carbon industries and CATCH, a leading apprenticeship and training provider in the Humber region, are delighted to announce that CATCH has officially become the second SIAS Approved Centre.

This achievement, following closely after SIAS’s launch as a full Awarding Organisation in September, 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 CATCH has become our second Approved Centre post our move to full AO status, and will be delivering our new suite of L2/3 regulated Qualifications in Process Industry Manufacturing.

“This is a major milestone for both organisations and reflects our mutual dedication to delivering high standards in STEM training and qualification provision, aligned to labour market demand across what are key industries for the UK economy.”

“CATCH’s approval follows a thorough review process that ensured they are fully equipped to deliver SIAS qualifications effectively. It also builds on a strategic partnership established in 2023 between SIAS and CATCH, to support apprenticeships and employers across the Humber region through provision of EPA services.”

Eve McIntosh, Head of Outreach and Engagement at CATCH, shared: “We’re proud to be one of the first providers approved to deliver SIAS qualifications. This approval strengthens our relationship with SIAS and underscores our shared commitment to delivering high-quality, industry-relevant training that meets the evolving needs of the sector.”

The partnership is effective immediately, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in apprenticeship and training excellence for the Humber region.

We’re delighted to announce that SIAS were crowned ‘EPAO of the Year (SME)’ at the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) Awards 2024.

These prestigious awards recognise the outstanding contributions that UK Awarding Organisations and EPAOs have made to the education and skills sector over the past year, and we were thrilled to be there alongside fellow industry colleagues.

Steve Smith, Managing Director said; “I am immensely proud of the entire SIAS team for standing everyday behind our values, and their dedication to achieving our shared vision.  This award is a recognition for, and a testament to, their commitment, hard work, and always moving forward mindset!”

“I’d also like to say a huge thank you to all of our brilliant Provider and Employer partners, our wider stakeholders, and of course our leaners, who are on this journey with us, you are all at the heart of everything we do, and this award is as much for you as it us for SIAS.”

“This achievement recognises that we continue to keep our promises to deliver innovative, partnership-led solutions and real value, disrupting the traditional approach to EPA and Awarding.”

“Congratulations to all of the other winners on the night, and to all the other EPAOs who were finalists in our category, we had a fantastic time celebrating what a great sector this is with you all.”

Our Managing Director Steve Smith reflects on the key announcements for our sector from yesterday’s budget statement:

“There were no major surprises for our sector coming out of the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget Statement 2024 yesterday, and whilst there were some early positives in terms of direction of travel for skills, it is clear that much more is still required in terms of investment if we are to create the conditions for success required to deliver a truly global leading skills model.

At SIAS we welcomed the £300 million pledged to support the FE sector in England, a sector we are proud to partner with, although as always much more needs to be done to similarly support the Independent Training Provider sector (ITPs), who do an equally incredible job, and who deliver more than 60% of Apprenticeship starts in England currently – getting that balance right is something I hope this government looks to achieve across the next Parliament, and I know would be valued by both our FE and ITP Provider partners.

The £40 million to introduce Foundation and Shorter Duration Apprenticeships in key sectors is the thin edge of a bigger wedge, but again a step in a direction which we broadly support, I’m very much looking forward to the detail on that, and on much more detail around plans for the reformed Growth & Skills Levy – what training and provision will be in scope?, what will be the actual level of that funding ‘flex’ for non-apprenticeship provision?….these will of course be key questions to answer in terms of the future landscape!

As the leading specialist Awarding Organisation for STEM industries, inclusive of skills for net zero transition, we welcomed, and were encouraged by, several commitments in the Autumn Statement which relate to key sectors which we heavily support and partner with, including:

• A confirmed £70 million for the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund in 2025-26, part of a long-term funding commitment of up to £520 million aimed at fostering growth and resilience for future Health emergencies.
• Hydrogen Production, with confirmed support for 11 green hydrogen projects, the first commercial-scale initiatives of their kind globally.
• Carbon Capture: previously announced multi-year investment into carbon capture and storage was confirmed, £3.9 billion allocated in 2025-26 for the first UK CCUS clusters.
• Nuclear Energy: £2.7 billion to continue development of Sizewell C through 2025-26, and a continued commitment to UK fusion energy research, reinforcing the UK’s position as a global leader in sustainable nuclear energy.

I look forward to SIAS continuing to do our part, working in real partnership with Employers, Providers and our Sector Bodies, to shape those conditions for success, as focus shifts to the critical spending review in Spring 2025.”

We are delighted to announce that Cogent Skills Apprenticeships has officially become the first SIAS Approved Centre, marking a significant early milestone, and following quickly on from the launch of SIAS as a full Awarding Organisation on 25 September.

Steve Smith, Managing Director of SIAS, expressed his excitement about this achievement: “We are thrilled that Cogent Skills Apprenticeships has officially become our first SIAS Approved Centre so quickly after our official launch as a full Awarding Organisation last month. This is a major milestone for both organisations and reflects our shared commitment to setting high standards across training, qualification provision and awarding for STEM Industries.

“Whilst this is the first of many new SIAS Approved Centre announcements we will be making before Christmas, it is special given our alignment as part of the Cogent Skills Group family. I’m feeling very positive about the fantastic partnership that is building between both organisations, particularly since James has come in to lead that business, and we look forward to seeing the first learners get registered and embark on their journey through industry leading SIAS qualifications.”

James McIntosh, Managing Director of Cogent Skills Apprenticeships, shared his enthusiasm: “I am delighted that we are the first approved provider as part of the SIAS Awarding Organisation approved centre process. The qualifications on offer in our sector were long overdue a revamp so we welcome the SIAS approach to collaborate with training providers and employers to create modernised, fit for industry qualifications that are mapped to knowledge, skills and behaviours of the apprenticeship standards we deliver.

“I genuinely believe that SIAS will positively disrupt the qualification market as they have the end point assessment market, and we look forward to working closely with Steve and the team on that journey. Huge credit goes to the apprenticeship team for leading on this work and pulling everything together so quickly to ensure we were the first provider through the process. As the Awarding Organisation grows over the coming years, to say that we are the first provider to be approved will be something we can be extremely proud of.”

The approval of Cogent Skills Apprenticeships came after a rigorous review process, ensuring the right resources and procedures were in place to consistently and effectively deliver SIAS qualifications or approved programmes. This achievement highlights the ongoing synergy between SIAS and Cogent Skills Apprenticeship Training, as they work together to advance the skills and qualifications landscape in the science and technology industries.

At SIAS, we take pride in designing qualifications that meet the highest industry standards and future needs. Our qualifications are developed in collaboration with employers and industry specialists, ensuring they are relevant, valid, and reliable.

We employ a customer-centric approach, leveraging our subject matter expertise and commitment to quality. Every qualification is designed to support the development of skills, jobs, and services, benefiting learners, providers, and employers within our specialized sectors.

We caught up with Debroah Hoggett, our Head of Product and Assessment to learn more about our approach to designing qualifications and how it can benefit you:

Q: What’s SIAS’s approach to designing qualifications?

A: We take an industry-first approach to designing qualifications.  By working closely with employers, sector experts and regulatory bodies we ensure that our qualifications truly address the needs of each sector.  Our focus is on developing rigorous, flexible qualifications that equip learners with the knowledge, skills and competencies essential for the evolving global STEM industries.  We achieve this through a highly collaborative process, partnering with a diverse range of stakeholders and technical experts to guarantee that every qualification is current, relevant, valid and reliable.

Q: You’re developing a set of qualifications for the initial phase, what sort of subject areas are you going to be targeting?

A: In our initial phase, we focused on developing flexible, modular qualifications tailored to key industry sectors. Our current focus includes the process industries and manufacturing, with plans to expand into engineering and low-carbon sectors. These industries face significant skills shortages, with growing demand for qualified professionals. By offering purpose-built, high-quality solutions, we aim to work with our partners and industry leaders to help bridge the skills gap and create pathways for learners to enter sustainable, rewarding careers.

Q: Have you been talking to customers about qualifications and how much input has this given you in developing the portfolio?

A: Absolutely, customer and stakeholder feedback plays a vital role in our qualification development process. We’ve actively collaborate with employers, training providers, and industry bodies to gain insight into their needs and challenges. This input has been instrumental in shaping our qualification portfolio, allowing us to refine the content, structure, and assessment methods to better meet market demands. As a result, our qualifications are not only fit-for-purpose but also impactful in addressing industry needs.

Q: How do we engage with SIAS if we’re interested in finding out more or want to become an ‘Approved Centre’?

A: We are passionately committed to putting our customers at the heart of everything we do. You can find out more by visiting our newly launched website at www.siasuk.com, where you will be able contact our team who can talk you through the process of becoming an Approved Centre.

Q: What’s the longer-term ambitions for SIAS Awarding?

A: The longer-term ambition for SIAS is to become the go to Awarding Organisation for the technical science, engineering, manufacturing and low carbon sectors – renowned for developing qualifications that truly align with industry demands. We aim to broaden our portfolio across the sectors that we specialise in, further driving the development of skills critical to the economy. Additionally, we are focused on enhancing our digital offerings to create flexible, innovative learning pathways and assessments that meet the diverse needs of learners and employers.  Ultimately, our goal is to help bridge the skills gap while equipping learners with the knowledge, skills and competencies for successful, long-term careers.

Thank you for taking the time to speak with us Deb, we can’t wait to see the next phase in SIAS’ Awarding Organisation journey!

Today marks the official launch of SIAS as an Awarding Organisation!

Steve Smith, Managing Director, said:

“As Managing Director of SIAS, I am incredibly proud today at the launch of our new Awarding Organisation (AO), which marks a significant milestone in our journey.

“Over recent years, SIAS has established itself as the leading End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) for STEM industries, gaining a reputation for quality and innovation as we have positively disrupted the apprenticeship assessment space.

“This new venture represents a significant investment into the future and enables us to expand our positive impact even further, building on strong foundations as we now bring the same level of excellence and value we have delivered as an EPAO, to the qualifications and wider Awarding markets.

“The decision to expand to full AO status is rooted in our commitment to delivering high-quality, industry-relevant qualifications that empower individuals and help businesses thrive. By leveraging our expertise gained as an EPAO, we are uniquely positioned to now also provide world-class awarding services and qualifications that meet both employer and learner needs.

“My incredible teams have worked tirelessly to ensure that the highest standards that we set as an EPAO will carry through to this next chapter, ensuring that we can, and will, make a real difference.

“As we move forward, we remain focused on continuing to repay the trust that our partners, learners, and stakeholders have placed in us, and we are excited to continue shaping the future of STEM skills development in the UK and beyond.”

You can explore our full portfolio of apprenticeship standards and new suite of initial regulated qualifications now live on our new website siasuk.com.

If you’d like to hear more about our products and services or how to become a SIAS Approved centre, contact the team today partnerships@siasuk.com.