Unlocking the UK’s potential: Connecting tertiary education pathways to raise standards, champion future skills, and deliver UK further and higher technical skills excellence

UVAC invites universities and higher education institutions, further and higher technical education providers, work-based and professional learning organisations, technical leaders, managers, practitioners, employers, policy makers, and key stakeholders, to join us for an inspiring event that will explore how recent technical education reforms, and the evolving skills landscape, are transforming the future of learning, work, and opportunity across the UK.

Innovation Exchange 2025: Going for Gold!

Tuesday 9 December 2025

 9.30-4.30pm

The Smiths Centre, Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD

This is your opportunity to hear from leading voices across education, industry, and government, and to explore effective practice examples, gather insights and resources, and join the national conversation, as we ‘unpack’ the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, guided by the industrial strategy and sector plans, to deliver on our UK’s plan for change. Driving critical innovation, increased productivity, and sustainable economic growth, through the delivery of ‘gold standard’ academic, technical education and apprenticeships.

A shared vision for growth

The UK is aiming high — with two-thirds of young people set to participate in higher education and training- whether academic, technical or ‘gold standard apprenticeships by the age of 25, including at least 10% progressing to Level 4 and 5 study (including apprenticeships) by 2040.

Yet, there’s work to do:

• 15% of adults aged 19–64 still lack a Level 2 qualification
• 32% have not achieved Level 3

With two-thirds of new jobs in key growth industry sectors requiring Level 4 qualifications and above, we must ensure everyone can access the right education and training to meet this demand.

From digital and technology to clean energy, construction, and health and social care, Skills England predicts 9 million new jobs between 2025 and 2030 — and we’ll explore what it takes to meet these ambitions by strengthening our world-class higher and further technical education systems, developing confident, skilled, future-ready talent, by breaking down barriers to opportunity, ensuring no-one gets left behind.

Key Takeaways

• Explore how collaboration between universities, colleges, ITPs and employers strengthens tertiary pathways and technical talent pipelines.
• Raise your awareness of how degree apprenticeships, higher technical qualifications enhance inclusion, innovation and workforce sustainability.
• Gain insights into global best practice in delivering high-quality, work-integrated learning and skills delivery
• Explore strategies to embed quality, knowledge and resilience across tertiary education system
• Identify opportunities for policy alignment, lifelong learning and sustainable development.

Be part of the change

Join us and be part of the movement unlocking the UK’s skills potential.

Download the Agenda

Please register to attend HERE

Special Feature: Technicians – The David Sainsbury Gallery.

During the event, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery – step into the fascinating world of STEM careers through interactive exhibits, exploring the huge range of exciting and rewarding technical career paths for young people and adults. Discover how technicians are driving innovation, learning, and research across the UK.