Events | UVAC

UVAC EVENTS

Policy Watch – Implementing EPA Reform Policies

DATE: Thursday 3rd September 2026 | 9:30 - 11:30

TOPIC: Policy Watch – Making an Effective Response

CONTENT:

This practical policy session is for apprenticeship leaders, curriculum leaders and will explore how to respond effectively to apprenticeship assessment and EPA reform. We will consider the changing balance between on-programme and end-point assessment, the implications for provider and employer responsibilities and the decisions needed during implementation. We will review curriculum, staffing, systems, quality assurance and communications so that assessment remains valid, manageable and compliant while supporting a positive apprentice experience and strong achievement.

UVAC login required for registration.

Ofsted member Experiences - Autumn

DATE: Thursday 10th September 2026 | 9:30 - 11:00

TOPIC: Ofsted

CONTENT:

This practical member experience session is for apprenticeship leaders and curriculum teams to share learning from recent Ofsted inspections during the autumn period. Members will describe their inspection process, the evidence and activities that mattered most and how inspectors explored curriculum, teaching, leadership, inclusion and outcomes. We will consider the emerging themes across inspections, identify the challenging or unexpected elements and explain the practical steps members can take to improve their own assessment readiness, prepare staff and demonstrate the quality and impact of their apprenticeship provision. UVAC login required for registration.

Creating the Self Assessment Report& QIP Workshop

DATE: Tuesday 15th September 2026 | 9:30 - 11:30

TOPIC: Ofsted

CONTENT:

This practical workshop is for apprenticeship and curriculum staff tasked with the creation or updating of a Self Assessment Report and Quality Improvement Plan against the updated Ofsted framework. This is an interactive session for participants at curriculum or institution level, where we will explore the most useful sources of evidence and how to use this to make evidence-based judgements, distinguish description from evaluation and identify the most important strengths and areas for improvement. We will explore how to write clear improvement priorities, set measurable actions, allocate ownership and monitor impact, so that the SAR and QIP become useful management tools as well as credible evidence for governance and inspection. UVAC login required for registration.

Policy Watch – Implementing Young People Policies

DATE: Thursday 17th September 2026 | 9:30 - 11:30

TOPIC: Policy Watch – Making an Effective Response

CONTENT:

This practical policy session for apprenticeship leaders and curriculum teams will explore how emerging policies for young people may affect apprenticeship recruitment, participation and progression. We will hear from policy makers and consider the changing expectations on providers and employers, the needs of different groups of young people and the links between apprenticeships, other skills pathways and employment support. We will consider 'll look at how to translate policy into an effective local offer, build stronger referral and progression routes, and identify the practical actions your organisation should take. UVAC login required for registration.

Costing Assessment & EPA

DATE: Thursday 1st October 2026 | 9:30 - 11:00

TOPIC: Assessment & EPA Reforms

CONTENT:

This practical session for apprenticeship finance, assessment and delivery teams will explore how to develop clear and defensible costings for apprenticeship assessment and EPA. We will consider the activities, staffing, systems and quality-assurance costs that need to be understood, and how responsibilities may change as assessment reforms are implemented. We will look at how to distinguish and allocate costs appropriately, evidence the assumptions behind your model and use costing information to support contracting, pricing, curriculum planning and financially sustainable delivery. UVAC login required for registration.

LLE EOI drafting & submission workshop

DATE: Monday 5th October 2026 | 9:30 - 11:30

TOPIC: Apprenticeship Units & LLE Modules

CONTENT:

This practical workshop is for leaders, curriculum, registry and staff responsible for developing their LLE Expression of Interest. We will explore how to present a clear institutional proposition, demonstrate strategic and operational readiness and provide credible evidence of learner and employer demand. With input from previous successful round 1 applicants we'll look at curriculum, quality assurance, systems, student support, finance, governance and delivery planning, with structured activities and peer review to help participants create or strengthen their draft response and identify any gaps before submission. UVAC login required for registration.

Innovation Exchange: Inspiring Skills Excellence: Technology, Teaching and T-Shaped Learning

DATE: Thursday 8th October 2026 | 9:30 - 16:30

TOPIC: People, Places, Partnerships and Possibilities: Strengthening systems, building workforce capability and capacity, and sharing international best practice

CONTENT:

Join UVAC and colleagues from education, industry, research and the wider technical skills community for an inspiring Innovation Exchange exploring how technology is transforming working practices, enhancing learning and creating new opportunities to improve accessibility, inspire inclusion, and develop the workforce of the future.

Audit Highlights 2026/2027 & Spotlight on costings

DATE: Thursday 8th October 2026 | 9:30 - 12:00

TOPIC: Audit & Compliance

CONTENT:

This practical session for apprenticeship leaders, finance and compliance teams will review the main audit themes for 2026/2027, with a particular spotlight on programme costings. Working with an audit firm we will explore the areas most likely to attract scrutiny, common weaknesses in evidence and the links between costing decisions, funding claims and delivery records. We will consider how to build a clear audit trail, test the robustness of your evidence and cost models, and identify practical actions that reduce risk before an audit begins. UVAC login required for registration

LLE EOI drafting & submission workshop

DATE: Friday 9th October 2026 | 9:30 - 12:00

TOPIC: Apprenticeship Units & LLE Modules

CONTENT:

This practical workshop is for staff responsible for developing their organisations LLE Expression of Interest. We will explore how to present a clear institutional proposition, demonstrate strategic and operational readiness and provide credible evidence of learner and employer demand. With input from previous successful round 1 applicants we'll look at curriculum, quality assurance, systems, student support, finance, governance and delivery planning, with structured activities and peer review to help participants create or strengthen their draft response and identify any gaps before submission. UVAC login required for registration

Policy Watch – Implementing SME Policies

DATE: Thursday 15th October 2026 | 9:30 - 11:30

TOPIC: Policy Watch – Making an Effective Response

CONTENT:

This practical policy session for apprenticeship leaders and business development teams will explore how emerging policies for small and medium-sized employers may affect apprenticeship demand and delivery. We will consider the implications for employer engagement, programme design, funding and partnership working, and the different needs of smaller organisations. We will translate policy into a clear SME proposition, review how to adapt recruitment and account-management approaches and build delivery models that are accessible, sustainable and more likely to support participation and achievement. UVAC login required for registration

Using your data to improve delivery quality, outcomes & drive innovation

DATE: Thursday 22nd October 2026 | 9:30 - 11:00

TOPIC: Business Development, Data and Innovation

CONTENT:

This practical session for apprenticeship leaders, quality teams and data colleagues will explore how to use data more effectively to improve delivery, outcomes and innovation. We will consider how learner, employer, curriculum, assessment and financial information can be brought together to identify patterns, emerging risks and opportunities for improvement. With member input we will consider how to establish a data analysis framework and how to ask better questions of your data, create useful measures and dashboards, target intervention and improvements more precisely and use evidence to support priority decisions about curriculum, resources, employer services and future programme development. UVAC login required for registration

Policy Watch – Implementing Space & Place Policies

DATE: Thursday 29th October 2026 | 9:30 - 11:30

TOPIC: Policy Watch – Making an Effective Response

CONTENT:

This practical policy session for apprenticeship leaders and teams will explore how emerging space and place priorities can be translated into an effective organisational response. With input from DfE on their emerging approach to provider responsiveness and from a combined authority on their expectations of providers in their community we will consider the implications of devolution, local skills priorities and place-based partnership working for apprenticeship planning and delivery. We will explore how to identify the opportunities and risks for members and the actions needed to create a strong and positive response from their organisation. UVAC login required for registration

Ofsted Spotlight –Teaching Excellence

DATE: Thursday 5th November 2026 | 9:30 - 11:00

TOPIC: Ofsted

CONTENT:

This practical Ofsted spotlight session for apprenticeship curriculum, teaching and quality teams will explore how to identify teaching excellence in apprenticeship provision. With member input from recently inspected organisations we will consider how inspectors evaluate curriculum design, teaching, training, assessment, feedback and the extent to which apprentices apply and remember what they learn. We will review data and evidence that demonstrates consistently strong practice, how staff development and quality assurance can improve teaching and how providers can identify and address inconsistency while retaining a clear focus on the apprentice progress and outcomes. UVAC login required for registration

UVAC National Conference

DATE: Thursday 19th November 2026 | 9:15 - 17:00

TOPIC: Reimagining HE and Skills: Policy, Place, Innovation and Growth

CONTENT:

In the last 12 months we’ve seen the UK apprenticeship and skills landscape shifting significantly, including the de-funding of level 7’s, and the sector undergoing structural changes driven by the Growth and Skills Levy. This year our conference takes the theme of Reimagining HE and Skills: Policy, Place, Innovation and Growth, where we will examine these key changes and look at how the sector will implement and adapt to the changes. Registrations are now open and we will be making more announcements about speakers, workshops and exhibitors for the conference soon.

Effective Assessment Services in Integrated Assessments

DATE: Thursday 3rd December 2026 | 9:30 - 11:30

TOPIC: Assessment & EPA Reforms

CONTENT:

This practical session is for curriculum leaders, assessment teams and academic staff responsible for the delivery of integrated assessment. We will explore a working model for effective assessment services, consider roles and responsibilities, performance measures, assessment planning, governance, quality assurance and the relationship between curriculum delivery and final assessment. With member input we will explore key policies, processes, handovers required and how to ensure that these are consistent across all delivery. UVAC login required for registration

LLE Update

DATE: Monday 7th December 2026 | 9:30 - 11:00

TOPIC: Apprenticeship Units & LLE Modules

CONTENT:

This practical update is for leaders and teams working on Lifelong Learning Entitlement provision to review the latest policy, regulatory and implementation developments. We will consider what these mean for institutional planning, curriculum approval, learner eligibility and finance, systems, student support and market development. We will review the key decisions members need to make now, the areas that remain uncertain and the practical steps that can strengthen readiness while retaining flexibility as the LLE arrangements continue to develop. UVAC login required for registration

Ofsted member Experiences – Winter

DATE: Thursday 14th January 2027 | 9:30 - 11:00

TOPIC: Ofsted

CONTENT:

This practical member experience session is for apprenticeship leaders and curriculum teams to share learning from recent Ofsted inspections during the winter period. Members will describe their inspection process, the evidence and activities that mattered most and how inspectors explored curriculum, teaching, leadership, inclusion and outcomes. We will consider the emerging themes across inspections, identify the challenging or unexpected elements and explain the practical steps members can take to improve their own assessment readiness, prepare staff and demonstrate the quality and impact of their apprenticeship provision. UVAC login required for registration

Apprenticeship Units - Lessons from early engagement and delivery

DATE: Thursday 21st January 2027 | 9:30 - 11:00

TOPIC: Apprenticeship Units & LLE Modules

CONTENT:

This practical session for apprenticeship leaders, curriculum and employer-engagement teams will explore the early lessons from engaging employers and delivering Apprenticeship Units. We will consider what is driving demand, how employers and learners understand the offer and the operational challenges emerging from shorter, more flexible provision. We will consider unit selection, curriculum design, onboarding, timetabling, learner support, evidence and progression, drawing out practical approaches that can improve participation, delivery quality and the value of units within a wider apprenticeship strategy. UVAC login required for registration

Ofsted Spotlight – Careers

DATE: Thursday 4th February 2027 | 9:30 - 11:00

TOPIC: Ofsted

CONTENT:

This Ofsted spotlight session is designed for apprenticeship leaders, curriculum design leaders, careers teams and delivery staff. With member input we will explore how to deliver careers education, information, advice and guidance within apprenticeship provision. We will consider what effective and impartial support looks like, how it should reflect the apprentice's starting point and ambitions and the roles of employers and providers. We will consider how careers activity can be embedded throughout the programme, evidenced and evaluated, and used to support progression, informed choices and sustained employment beyond the apprenticeship. UVAC login required for registration

Increasing engagement and achievement with SMEs

DATE: Thursday 11th February 2027 | 9:30 - 11:00

TOPIC: Business Development, Data and Innovation

CONTENT:

This practical session for apprenticeship delivery and business development teams will explore how to increase engagement, retention and achievement with small and medium-sized employers. We will consider what SMEs need from apprenticeship providers, the engagement activities that work and the barriers that affect participation and progress. The session will review successful approaches to recruitment, onboarding, programme flexibility, progress reviews and early intervention that strengthen the employer relationship while helping apprentices remain engaged, make progress and successfully complete their programme. UVAC login required for registration

EPA Reform – Adjusting Curriculum for on Programme Assessment

DATE: Thursday 18th February 2027 | 9:30 - 11:00

TOPIC: Assessment & EPA Reforms

CONTENT:

This practical session for curriculum, teaching and assessment teams will explore how apprenticeship programmes should be adjusted for a greater use of on-programme assessment. We will consider how assessment requirements can be mapped through the curriculum, sequenced alongside learning and supported by appropriate formative activity and feedback. We will consider staff roles, assessment readiness, evidence and quality assurance, and how to prepare apprentices effectively without narrowing the curriculum or teaching only to the assessment, while maintaining a coherent and positive learning experience. UVAC login required for registration

Developing curriculum for SME delivery

DATE: Thursday 4th March 2027 | 9:30 - 11:00

TOPIC: Business Development, Data and Innovation

CONTENT:

This practical session for curriculum, teaching and employer engagement teams will explore how to design apprenticeship curriculum that works effectively for small and medium-sized employers. Hearing from SME employers and exploring member's own successful practice we will consider the practical changes that balance the requirements of the standard with different workplace contexts, limited employer capacity and the need for relevant, flexible delivery. We will explore how to sequence learning, add key questions into initial needs assessments and skills scans, use workplace projects and examples, involve managers and adapt support so that SME apprentices can apply learning quickly and make sustained progress towards achievement. UVAC login required for registration

LLE Modules – Lessons from early engagement and delivery

DATE: Thursday 11th March 2027 | 9:30 - 11:00

TOPIC: Apprenticeship Units & LLE Modules

CONTENT:

This practical session for LLE leaders, curriculum and market development teams will explore the early lessons from engaging learners and employers and delivering LLE modules. We will consider what is influencing demand, how modular study is being understood and the operational challenges created by shorter, flexible provision. With members engaged in early delivery in the first round of approvals we will review module design, marketing, admissions, learner support, systems, quality assurance and progression, drawing out practical approaches that can improve the learner experience and support a sustainable LLE offer. UVAC login required for registration

Ofsted member Experiences – Spring

DATE: Wednesday 14th April 2027 | 9:30 - 11:00

TOPIC: Ofsted

CONTENT:

This practical member experience session is for apprenticeship leaders and curriculum teams to share learning from recent Ofsted inspections during the spring period. Members will describe their inspection process, the evidence and activities that mattered most and how inspectors explored curriculum, teaching, leadership, inclusion and outcomes. We will consider the emerging themes across inspections, identify the challenging or unexpected elements and explain the practical steps members can take to improve their own assessment readiness, prepare staff and demonstrate the quality and impact of their apprenticeship provision. UVAC login required for registration

STATE OF THE NATION - RECORDINGS

VIEW REGULAR UPDATES ON GOVERNMENT POLICY AND CONSULTATIONS

Get our latest news and events direct to your inbox - join our mailing list

Please enter your details below –

ABOUT UVAC

UVAC is one of the most authoritative voices in the sector on education and training in HE and a leading expert on all aspects of the policy and operational requirements of higher and degree apprenticeships.

Our Members

Our Board

Our Team

Our Services