As the education and qualifications landscape continues to evolve, the future of general awarding is shaping up to be more flexible, efficient, and responsive to the needs of both learners and employers. With significant changes on the horizon, particularly in light of recent government initiatives and advances in technology, keeping up with the industry’s evolution is essential for EPAOs. Here are five key trends that will influence the future of general awarding in the UK.
Digital transformation is here to stay
Over the past few years, we've seen the education sector embrace digital transformation, and general awarding is no exception. The shift to online platforms for exams, assessments, and certification has accelerated, particularly in response to the pandemic. The benefits are clear: remote assessments are more accessible, cost-effective, and less prone to logistical headaches.
As awarding organisations continue to innovate, platforms are becoming smarter and more user-friendly. The push towards digital certification will also be a major driver, with more employers expecting to receive verifiable digital credentials rather than paper certificates. For instance, innovations in blockchain technology are already enabling secure, tamper-proof certificates, providing a level of confidence that the qualifications issued are authentic.
Awarding bodies that invest in these technologies and platforms that can support them are positioning themselves to meet the growing demand for flexibility, security, and ease of use. A digital-first approach is fast becoming a must for staying competitive.
A more learner-centric approach
As we move forward, there's a growing realisation that the future of general awarding needs to be more learner centred. Traditionally, qualifications were designed to meet the needs of the education system, but now there's an increasing focus on what learners actually need, especially in work-place driven learning initiatives. This means offering more personalised learning journeys, where assessments reflect real-world competencies, and certification is more aligned with the skills that employers are actively looking for or want to evolve within their teams.
A great example of this shift is the rise in micro-credentials and modular qualifications. These bite-sized awards allow learners to acquire specific skills that are relevant to their career aspirations. Whether it’s a coding bootcamp or a leadership skills course, learners can now gain recognition for skills in a way that doesn’t require a full qualification, making education more agile and responsive to the changing demands of the job market and employers.
The importance of industry collaboration
As employers become increasingly involved in the design of qualifications and assessments, we’re seeing more direct partnerships forming between awarding organisations and businesses. This shift towards closer collaboration helps ensure that qualifications remain relevant not just to in an evolving job market, but in specific workplaces.
For example, sectors like healthcare, engineering, and IT are already seeing awarding bodies working more closely with employers to ensure qualifications align with the practical skills needed on the job. In this environment, the future of general awarding will likely see more bespoke qualifications and certifications developed in partnership with industries, addressing specific needs that traditional qualifications might not fully capture.
This collaboration will also extend to technology companies that provide assessment platforms, creating opportunities for more seamless integration between skills development and workplace requirements.
A focus on lifelong learning and skills development
The pace of change in the job market means that the concept of lifelong learning has never been more important. General awarding bodies are beginning to recognise this shift and are increasingly focused on supporting the development of skills throughout an individual’s career. This means moving away from a system where qualifications are viewed as the endpoint of learning and instead positioning them as part of an ongoing journey of skills development.
We’re seeing initiatives aimed at supporting workers to upskill and reskill, particularly in sectors impacted by automation and technological advancements. The government’s push for a more adaptable workforce, highlighted by the recent Skills and Post-16 Education Bill, aims to ensure that people have access to the training and qualifications they need at every stage of their working lives. As the emphasis shifts towards continuous professional development (CPD), general awarding bodies will need to offer more flexible, modular qualifications that support lifelong learning.
Flexible platforms that can support general awarding are in demand
As more focus is placed on general awarding as a valuable skills development route, platforms that offer a streamlined, adaptive approach are increasingly in demand. Platforms like Skilltech Solutions’ Accolade can bring the same streamlined process that epaPRO brings to apprenticeship assessments, but to a broader general awarding market. Fully flexible, Accolade allows users to easily build their own qualifications on the platform, tailored to their own needs and the needs of their learners. You can find out more about how Accolade is revolutionising processes in general awarding.
Whether you’re preparing yourself for a new future in awarding, or simply ready to change out your legacy platform for qualification management, Accolade is a versatile and easy to use option, ready to support an evolving general awarding sector. Book a demo to see Accolade in action
