Upcoming UVAC events in February

February offers plenty for UVAC members, with a full schedule of online workshops and networking opportunities.

There’s still time to register for these sessions which are included with UVAC membership and open to all staff at member institutions.

UVAC QUALITY NETWORK

Thursday 5th February 2026 | 13:30 – 15:30

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 is pleased to to be supporting National Apprenticeship Week

Now in its 19th year, National Apprenticeship Week, 9-15 February, is a week-long celebration that brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

It’s a busy week for our team, and the week kicks off with our Chief Executive Dr Mandy Crawford-Lee FRSA at the Association of Apprentices #NAW event at the Stationers Hall, London on Monday 9 February after which she will join the national finalists for the Apprenticeship and Training Awards 2026 as they are formally recognised at a special parliamentary reception hosted by former Education Secretary Baroness Morgan, celebrating outstanding commitment to apprenticeships, skills, and workforce development across the country.

Wednesday sees Mandy Crawford-Lee in Norfolk for another event celebrating the talent, commitment, and dedication of apprentices and employers. The Apprenticeship Norfolk Awards are now in their fourth year, and Mandy is the judging panel, with the awards featuring 12 categories, recognising the achievements of apprentices, businesses, advocates, and mentors. Good luck to all those taking part!

Find out more about NAW

INNOVATION EXCHANGE: Advancing Equity, Celebrating Diversity: Inclusive Visions and Innovative Solutions

Tuesday 10th February 2026 | 9:30 – 16:30

There is still time to register and join us at UVAC’s next Innovation Exchange.

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

Tuesday 17th February 2026 | 13:00 – 15:00

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.

All these Knowledge Network events are offered as part of UVAC membership and open to any personnel from member institutions. Members are invited to share these event registration links with colleagues for them to register to attend.

STATE OF THE NATION

Friday 20th February 2026 | 12:00 – 13:15

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.

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