Join us at the UVAC 2025 National Conference on Thursday 20 November at the ICC, Birmingham.

Held annually, usually in the late autumn, the UVAC National Conference is a key event for professionals involved in higher and degree apprenticeships, higher technical education, professional skills, and work-based learning. It offers a platform to engage with policy updates, innovative practices, and research in the sector. The conference facilitates networking with like-minded individuals and industry leaders, providing insights into the evolving landscape of vocational education.

This year we take the theme CHANGE: creating and adapting to apprenticeship and skills policy, past, present and future. 

Recent ministerial announcements emphasise the crucial role of higher education (HE) in aligning with post-16 education and skills strategies, particularly in areas like higher technical and professional education, apprenticeships, HTQs, lifelong learning and progression into HE. However, the Government is not always clear on its understanding of the purpose of HE so nothing can be assumed. UVAC and its distinctive offer is key to positioning its membership voice to government and the conference is the perfect opportunity to capture this intent.

This conference is hosted as a live event. In addition to the packed programme of keynote speakers, breakout workshop and panel discussions, one of the highlights for delegates is the opportunity to connect and network with like-minded individuals, share their ideas, and gain valuable insights into the latest trends and developments in the field of higher level apprenticeships.

Buy your tickets for UVAC’s 2025 national conference today!

The full programme for this year’s UVAC National Conference is now live, with all session timings confirmed—ready for you to plan your day and make the most of every opportunity.

08.00 – 09.00 Breakfast, Exhibition and Networking

09.00 – 09.15 Welcome from Mandy Crawford-Lee, Chief Executive, UVAC

09:15 – 09:55 Keynote Workshop from Headline Sponsor Aptem

High-Impact Progress Reviews in University Apprenticeship Provision

Sean Baker, New Business Sales Director, Aptem and Chris Cherry, Strategic Associate, SDN Mesma

09:55 – 10.15 Keynote Presentation 

Ready for Roll Out – practical realities of the renewed inspection framework for Higher Education

Kerry Boffey, Adult Learning Improvement Network (ALIN) & Fellowship of Inspection Nominees (FIN)

10:15 – 10:55 Full Conference Workshop

Region to be cheerful? Exploring the role for vocational HE and apprenticeships within English devolution – James Farr, Director and Richard Guy, Senior Associate, THINK

11:00 – 11:50 Workshop Session A

World Skills UK endorsed competitions for Higher & Degree Apprentices

Sarah Tudor, World Skills UK Competition Director and Head of Assessment and Progression,University of Exeter

Assuring Standards in Times of Change: Co-Creating a Blueprint for Quality,Consistency, and Change

Dr Nicky Westwood, UVAC Associate, Julie Stone, Consultant, Phil Sanders, Consultant

End Point Assessment – Out of the Melting Pot

Sam Moorwood, Associate Director of Skills, Sheffield Hallam University

11:55 – 12:45 Workshop Session B

Navigating Change: Empowering Insights around workplace mentorship through a World Café

Abigail Salter, Lecturer in Policing Organisation and Practice, Dr Sarah Bloomfield, Senior Lecturer in Work and Organisational Learning, Evelyn Mooney , Programme Leader, WELS, School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, Open University

Navigating complexity with employers: Strategic workforce strategies in an era of change 

Mark Hayes, Director, Mike Craig, Head of Sales and Accounts, Think

Addressing policy misconceptions about mature learners and university approaches

Dr Trevor A Brown Reader in Strategic Practice and Apprenticeships, Richard Griffin , Senior Lecturer & Assessment Lead, Manchester Metropolitan University

12:45 – 1:30 LUNCH, EXHIBITION & NETWORKING

1:30 – 2:20 Workshop Session C

The Evolving Apprenticeship Workforce: Navigating Change in Tripartite Roles

Dr Nicky Westwood, UVAC Associate, Dr Helen Charlton, Head of Executive Education, Northumbria University Business School, Dr Phil Power-Mason, Head of Strategic Management, Hertfordshire Business School

Not just another spreadsheet; Streamlining management

Dr Cliona O Dunlaing Dean, School of Apprenticeships, Lauren Spurling, Head of Apprenticeship Academic, Anglia Ruskin University

The constant in a shifting landscape: the value of work-related co-created practice development in DAs 

Jackie Whitehouse, Head of Work-based Learning, Laura Yetton, Programme Manager, University of Warwick

2:25 – 3:05 Full Conference Workshop 

From Policy to Practice: Reimagining Apprenticeships Through the Lens of Diversity and Inclusion

Pete Milsom, Shona Taylor, Business Engagement Manager: Early Careers and Apprenticeships, UCAS

3:05 – 3:45 Keynote Workshop from Headline Sponsor ACE360

Apprenticeships policy – making it work for employers

Panel discussion led by Dr Fiona Aldridge, CEO, Skills Federation

3:45 – 3:55 Refreshments Break & Exhibition

3:55 – 4:35 Full Conference Workshop 

From Start-up to Scale-up

Gosia Lasota, Assistant Director, Dr Cliona O Dunlaing, Dean, School of Apprenticeships, Anglia Ruskin University

4:35 – 4:55 Keynote Workshop from Registration Sponsor BUD

4:55 – 5:00 Closing Remarks from Dr Mandy Crawford-Lee,Chief Executive, UVAC

5.00 – 6.00 Drinks Reception for all delegates, speakers and exhibitors

Meet our Sponsors

We are delighted that APTEM are continuing their support of our conference, as a headline sponsor in 2025. We very much look forward to welcoming the APTEM team as part of our programme on the day, as well as to our popular conference exhibition.

Aptem Apprentice, the leading end-to-end apprenticeship delivery system for the HE sector, is used by 51% of universities with an established apprenticeship provision and nearly 100,000 learners daily. Underpinned by unrivalled sector expertise, Aptem uses the latest technology to help you enrol high volumes of students, meet Ofsted/ESFA requirements, and confidently evidence progression and completion.  

Read more about APTEM HERE

We’re delighted that ACE360 – Powered by Skills Federation returns to the conference as a headline sponsor.

A regular supporter of UVAC’s annual conference, the ACE360 team are once again looking forward to connecting with many of their customers and partners on the day, and meeting new faces across the sector. 

Delegates at the event are invited to visit the ACE360 stand and speak to the team about their upcoming innovations: ACE360 Connect and ACE360 Circle – two powerful new features set to redefine how providers and End-Point Assessment Organisations collaborate.

Read more about ACE360 – Powered by Skills Federation HERE 

UVAC is delighted to announce that BUD will be the first ever Registration Sponsor of its National Conference at the ICC in Birmingham in November. 

A regular exhibitor at the conference, BUD’s new role as Registration Sponsor will see them presenting a workshop, as well as taking a prime spot in the exhibition hall.  

Delegates to the conference exhibition can meet their team and discover why Bud is not just a platform; it’s a holistic solution designed to bring together all aspects of apprenticeship and skills training management. From initial enrolment to final assessment, Bud provides a seamless, integrated experience for trainers, learners, and administrators alike. 

Bud is built on a foundation of simplicity, compliance, and consistency, as well as the knowledge gained from real-life experience, managing large-scale delivery. With over 70,000 active learners and 95,000+ monthly logins, Bud Systems is committed to enhancing the management of funded training through innovative technology.

Read more about BUD HERE