Through recent UVAC Innovation Exchanges we have prioritised strengthening collaboration between further and higher technical education training providers, researchers, employers, and wider stakeholders, who have an important role in the delivery of high-quality, enriched and enhanced learning experiences, that meet current needs, whilst foresighting to address future skill demands.

Achieving UK aspirations for growth and sustainable economic development requires partnership working. Ensuring that there is a shared vision for the future, and the commitment in localities and regions to work together to affect positive change. Effective partnership working helps to break down barriers to opportunities, so that we can make the most of everyone’s skills and talents- making sure that no one gets left behind.

UVAC has had a close strategic partnership with WorldSkills UK for over 10 years, and we are immensely proud of what we have achieved together. For example, ensuring that more young people, right across the UK, can access world-class training through the WorldSkills UK competition programmes.

Since 2022 UVAC has supported the WorldSkills UK Competitor Support Fund. UVAC’s contribution towards the fund is a way of demonstrating our wider commitment to learning and progression opportunities for young people. Focussing on excellence and challenging prejudice. The fund provides direct financial support to those who have faced barriers to entering the WorldSkills UK national competitions, with a wider ambition of breaking down barriers for young people so that those from any background can access life-changing opportunities by competing on a regional, national, and international stage. UVAC ensures that equality diversity and inclusion are not considered as a ‘bolt-on’, but embedded in all programmes, including those delivered through partnership working.

On the 25 March, a UVAC Innovation Exchange webinar was hosted in collaboration with WorldSkills UK- Raising standards, championing future skills, and empowering learners to succeed, raising awareness of the benefits of engagement with the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence. There are many further education providers, specifically colleges, making the most of the opportunities to access world-class teacher training and technical masterclasses, through the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence, but there is a need to raise awareness of the support offer available, at no charge, amongst universities, and higher technical education providers.

In the video below, hear from Dr Mandy Crawford, Chief Executive of UVAC, as she discusses the benefits for members and providers of engaging with the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence. The video also includes interviews with university colleagues who are members of the WorldSkills Uk Centre of Excellence, who are embedding competition pedagogy throughout their curriculum, and achieving positive outcomes.

The webinar hosted on the 25 March was recorded, and can be accessed using this link 

For UVAC members, and our wider further and higher technical education community colleagues The WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence is a great example of the huge benefit that can be gained from working with WorldSkills UK. It brings together further and higher technical education colleagues, employers, and stakeholder partners for high quality CPD focussed on raising standards, championing future skills, and empowering young people and businesses to succeed, mainstreaming international and national best practice