A nation’s prosperity is tied to the skills and talents of its people. A high-quality education and training system is vitally important for laying the foundations for young people, and adults, at every stage of their career, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and behaviours to be work and life ready.

Ensuring that they have the technical skills to thrive in a globalised world helps drive innovation, increase productivity, and contribute to sustainable economic development- shaping our collective future in the UK and globally.

By 2030, the world’s population is estimated to exceed 8.5 billion, placing pressure on infrastructure world-wide, including our education systems, at every stage of learning. Education is estimated to account for 50% of global economic growth. UK education exports already generate £32.3 billion per year, creating jobs, and contributing to addressing shared global challenges.

The UK’s International Education Strategy, published in January 2026, set ambitious plans to grow education exports to £40 billion per year by 2030- placing the UK’s world -class education system, from early years to further and higher education, at the heart of global engagement.

But how can this ambition be realised?

Increasing the UK’s International Standing Through Education

The answer lies in strengthening the UK’s international standing and ensuring the UK is the global partner of choice.

This includes continuing to recruit high-quality international higher education students from a diverse range of countries, while inspiring inclusion, widening participation and celebrating diversity. These are not peripheral ambitions — they are central to driving innovation and finding solutions to the challenges we face now and in the future.

The UK remains a world leader in education. Fifty-nine serving world leaders were educated in the UK, and over 1.35 million international higher education students’ study in the UK or pursue UK qualifications overseas (January 2026).

Institutions such as Oxford University, University of Cambridge and Imperial College London consistently rank within the Times Higher Education top ten universities in the world. British qualifications are widely regarded as gold standard. The UK promotes education in emerging sectors such as AI, green technologies, as well as advanced manufacturing, construction, life sciences, health, and digital transformation solutions, and there are many opportunities ‘open’ to UK further and higher education providers. Including through transnational education partnerships. Insights and practical guidance have recently been shared through the Global Skills Partnership report, Exploring Transnational Education in TVET published by the British Council, in partnership with the Association of Colleges.

Partnership for Goals: Raising the Status of Technical and Vocational Education and Training

In an era of rapid technological transformation, partnership working is essential. The ‘prize’ will be secured by those who can adapt to a changing environment.

The Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, underpinned by the UK Industrial Strategy, emphasised the importance of connectivity and intersectoral working — bringing higher and further education providers closer together with employer partners, to realise UK growth ambitions. Crucially, it highlighted the need to raise the prestige of technical and vocational education and training and to achieve genuine parity between academic and technical pathways. Technical and vocational education must be understood not as an alternative route, but as an equal and strategically vital pathway to high-value careers and economic resilience. Lifelong learning must be a lived reality. Individuals must be able to access the right course at the right time — irrespective of geography or background.

Education is an enabler. It unlocks opportunity, supports decent employment, reduces inequality and strengthens infrastructure. Real progress depends on collaboration — Partnerships for Goals.

UVAC: Championing Higher and Degree Apprenticeships

As the leading authority on higher and degree apprenticeships and technical and professional education, UVAC champions vocational learning as central to economic growth, productivity and social mobility.

As a strategic partner of the UK Skills Partnership (UKSP), UVAC plays a key role in shaping the future workforce — ensuring individuals develop the knowledge, abilities and adaptable skills required for the challenges of the 21st century.

UVAC works in partnership to bring universities, further and higher technical education providers, researchers, policymakers and industry closer together. This collaboration supports intentional co-curriculum design, planning and delivery aligned to local, regional, national and international priorities.

Through systematic reform, workforce development solutions applying a’’glocal lens’, and the sharing of national and international best practice, UVAC supports institutions to build a skilled UK workforce. From apprenticeships and professional qualifications to cutting-edge, future-facing skills, UVAC is helping to ‘unlock’ the potential of all-age, all-level learners.

UVAC and WorldSkills UK: Raising Standards and Championing Future Skills

UVAC was proud to become the first higher education partner of WorldSkills UK, sharing the ambition of raising standards, championing future skills and empowering young learners to succeed.

This partnership reflects UVAC’s commitment to gaining recognition for the critical role universities play in delivering further and higher technical skills solutions — working with colleges, training providers and employers to develop quality programmes and new modes of engagement.

WorldSkills UK offers far more than skills competitions — although these remain a powerful driver of technical skills excellence. Competitions in Industry 4.0, integrated robot systems and digital construction for example, provide opportunities to benchmark against international standards.

Later in 2026, Team UK will compete in Shanghai in the international skills “Olympics,” showcasing excellence across more than 30 skills, including 3D Digital Game Art, Robot Systems Integration and Renewable Energy.

Competitions elevate aspirations. Apprentices apply workplace learning in high-performance environments, developing autonomy, self-efficacy and belief. Businesses benefit. Communities benefit. The UK benefits.

Beyond competitions, WorldSkills UK offers high-quality CPD through its Centre of Excellence, including employer-led technical masterclasses, available at no charge to members.

Join Us: Raising Standards, Championing Future Skills and Empowering Young Learners to Succeed

UVAC and WorldSkills UK colleagues will explore these themes further in an upcoming webinar:

Raising Standards, Champion Future Skills and Empowering Young Learners to Succeed
Wednesday 25th March 2026 | 10:00 – 10:45

The session will explore how universities and higher education providers can engage more actively in WorldSkills UK competitions, enhance programme design and strengthen employer partnerships to drive skills excellence.

REGISTER

We encourage UVAC members and wider colleagues, partners and stakeholders across the sector to join us.

Skills Power Prosperity: Partnership, Prestige and Purpose

Nearly one million young people aged 16–24 are currently not in education, employment or training, while employers across every sector report that they cannot find the skilled workers they need.

Irrespective of geography, there must be ladders of opportunity for all. Learners need access to high-quality careers education, information, advice and guidance so they can clearly see their pathway to success. Academic and technical vocational routes must be understood, valued and spoken about in a ‘shared language’ by parents, teachers, careers advisers and employers alike.

The UK stands at a pivotal moment. Global demand for skills is rising. Industry is transforming and growth ambitions are clear. UVAC is working with partners to raise standards, champion future skills and empower learners of every age and level, and across all industry sectors.  By strengthening parity of esteem, supporting innovation and embedding collaboration across the skills ecosystem, UVAC is helping to ensure that the UK remains the education partner of choice — driving productivity, inclusion and sustainable economic development.

Skills power prosperity. Partnership powers progress. And together, we shape the future.