Events | UVAC

UVAC EVENTS

Learning from the Ofsted Pilots - members only

DATE: Thursday 22nd January 2026 | 9:30 - 11:30

TOPIC: Learning from the Ofsted Pilots

CONTENT:

In this insight-focused session, we will share learning and emerging themes from providers who participated in the early Ofsted ‘pilot inspections’ under the new framework. The session will consider what universities can expect from future inspections and set out the advice from the pilots to inform preparation, training for staff, quality assurance and self-assessment. This webinar is part of UVAC’s Autumn programme; an exclusive benefit to UVAC members, and open to any personnel from member institutions. Login Required for Registration

UVAC Quality Network

DATE: Thursday 5th February 2026 | 13:30 - 15:30

TOPIC: UVAC Quality Network

CONTENT:

The quality network has more recently been developed to broaden the focus of the network supported by UVAC members, practitioners, and external stakeholders. The network provides a facilitated platform and safe space to share good practice, discuss and explore the challenges and barriers to quality assurance of apprenticeship provision across the current apprenticeship and skills landscape. The network will focus on the apprenticeship and skills journey and what this involves and development of a network blueprint. Our Quality network is support by other experienced HE consultants, external Stakeholders, partners and UVAC members. UVAC login required for registration

UVAC Social Work Network

DATE: Tuesday 10th February 2026 | 13:30 - 15:30

TOPIC: UVAC Social Work Network

CONTENT:

Over 25/26 the Social Work apprenticeship knowledge network will carry on from the work and discussions previously undertaken. This will provide a collaborative forum for UVAC members to explore different themes and topics during 2026. The agenda will be provided near the network dates. UVAC login required for registration.

UVAC Innovation Exchange Advancing Equity, Celebrating Diversity: Inclusive Visions and Innovative Solutions

DATE: Tuesday 10th February 2026 | 9:30 - 16:30

TOPIC: Advancing Equity, Celebrating Diversity: Inclusive Visions and Innovative Solutions

CONTENT:

Join us at UVAC’s Innovation Exchange and be part of a national conversation shaping the future of technical, vocational and professional education in the UK — inspiring inclusion, boosting innovation and building a workforce ready for the future.

The UK’s rapidly evolving skills landscape presents both challenge and opportunity. The engineering sector alone is facing a projected shortfall of up to 1 million engineers by 2030 due to retirement, skills mismatch and persistent diversity gaps — a clear call to action. Despite an increasingly diverse population of over 69 million, vast talent across genders, socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, religions and beliefs remains under-represented in priority STEM and wider growth sectors. Industry demand for diverse talent continues to rise because it delivers results, with employers recognising the link between inclusion, innovation and sustainable economic growth.

UVAC’s Innovation Exchange is a high-impact, in-person event exploring how to widen participation, build workforce capacity and co-develop inclusive pathways that will ‘unlock’ talent across all ages and levels — aligning with the Government ambitions on post-16 reform, skills-led productivity and workforce sustainability.

Quality in Allied Health Apprenticeships Network

DATE: Tuesday 17th February 2026 | 13:00 - 15:00

TOPIC: Quality in Allied Health Apprenticeships

CONTENT:

Following on from previous collaborative networks between UVAC and NHSE 2026 dates are now live for registration on-line. These will build on previous discussions to support and facilitate discussion across the sector around sharing of good practice, challenges and enhancements/developments. These networks will include live guest speakers and alignment to HCPC, Ofsted, OfS and other regulatory bodies and requirements. UVAC login required for registration.

UVAC State of the Nation

DATE: Friday 20th February 2026 | 12:00 - 13:15

TOPIC: All things skills policy and higher education impact

CONTENT:

The first State of the Nation of 2026 and there is much to reflect on including exploring the implications for HE of the Skills White Paper, the rumours that rationalisation of apprenticeship standards will remove all management programmes from funding and DWP decisions on priority provision will impact on level 6 choice. With the Growth and Skills Levy due to announce and the introduction of 'Apprenticeship Units' from April, together with an emerging regional dominance, the LLE and a growing debate about how to get employers and individuals to invest more in training, this session will look at the practical support that UVAC will deliver to members.

UVAC NHSE: Quality in Nursing Apprenticeships Network

DATE: Tuesday 5th May 2026 | 14:00 - 16:00

TOPIC: Quality in Nursing Apprenticeships Network

CONTENT:

Following on from previous collaborative networks between UVAC and NHSE 2026 dates are now live for registration on-line. These will build on previous discussions to support and facilitate discussion across the sector around sharing of good practice, challenges and enhancements/developments. These will include live guest speakers and alignment to Ofsted, OfS and NMC and other regulatory bodies and requirements. Please note that this is a sequence of Networks so please sign up to all dates. UVAC login required for registration

UVAC Social Work Network

DATE: Tuesday 19th May 2026 | 13:30 - 15:30

TOPIC: UVAC Social Work Network

CONTENT:

Over 25/26 the Social Work apprenticeship knowledge network will carry on from the work and discussions previously undertaken. This will provide a collaborative forum for UVAC members to explore different themes and topics during 2026 The agenda will be provided near the network dates. UVAC login required for registration

UVAC CMDA Network

DATE: Tuesday 19th May 2026 | 10:00 - 12:00

TOPIC: Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship Network

CONTENT:

The CMDA DAKN currently is made up of UVAC members/practitioners from 19 different Higher Education Institutions who are passionate about the quality, development, and impact of the CMDA for learners, employers, and wider skills agenda. The CMDA continues to be supported and developed by UVAC members at both the Open University, Nottingham Trent University and University of Central Lancashire and facilitated by the support of a UVAC Associate. More recent work has seen the knowledge network undertake sharing of best practice, research and currently working on the collation of impact of the CMDA across the Institutions in support of the review of the CMDA occupational standard. UVAC login required for registration

UVAC Quality Network

DATE: Tuesday 2nd June 2026 | 10:00 - 12:00

TOPIC: UVAC Quality Network

CONTENT:

The quality network has more recently been developed to broaden the focus of the network supported by UVAC members, practitioners, and external stakeholders. The network provides a facilitated platform and safe space to share good practice, discuss and explore the challenges and barriers to quality assurance of apprenticeship provision across the current apprenticeship and skills landscape. The network will focus on the apprenticeship journey and what this involves and development of a network blueprint. Our Quality network is support by other experienced HE consultants, external Stakeholders, partners and UVAC members. UVAC login required for registration

UVAC NHSE: Quality in Allied Health Apprenticeship Network

DATE: Tuesday 9th June 2026 | 13:00 - 15:00

TOPIC: Quality in Allied Health Apprenticeship Network

CONTENT:

STATE OF THE NATION - RECORDINGS

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