SIAS, a leading Awarding Organisation for science, manufacturing, engineering and low carbon industries and CATCH, a leading apprenticeship and training provider in the Humber region, are delighted to announce that CATCH has officially become the second SIAS Approved Centre.

This achievement, following closely after SIAS’s launch as a full Awarding Organisation in September, highlights both organisations’ commitment to raising standards in training, qualification provision, and assessment within STEM industries.

Steve Smith, Managing Director of SIAS, said: “We are thrilled that CATCH has become our second Approved Centre post our move to full AO status, and will be delivering our new suite of L2/3 regulated Qualifications in Process Industry Manufacturing.

“This is a major milestone for both organisations and reflects our mutual dedication to delivering high standards in STEM training and qualification provision, aligned to labour market demand across what are key industries for the UK economy.”

“CATCH’s approval follows a thorough review process that ensured they are fully equipped to deliver SIAS qualifications effectively. It also builds on a strategic partnership established in 2023 between SIAS and CATCH, to support apprenticeships and employers across the Humber region through provision of EPA services.”

Eve McIntosh, Head of Outreach and Engagement at CATCH, shared: “We’re proud to be one of the first providers approved to deliver SIAS qualifications. This approval strengthens our relationship with SIAS and underscores our shared commitment to delivering high-quality, industry-relevant training that meets the evolving needs of the sector.”

The partnership is effective immediately, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in apprenticeship and training excellence for the Humber region.

We’re delighted to announce that SIAS were crowned ‘EPAO of the Year (SME)’ at the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) Awards 2024.

These prestigious awards recognise the outstanding contributions that UK Awarding Organisations and EPAOs have made to the education and skills sector over the past year, and we were thrilled to be there alongside fellow industry colleagues.

Steve Smith, Managing Director said; “I am immensely proud of the entire SIAS team for standing everyday behind our values, and their dedication to achieving our shared vision.  This award is a recognition for, and a testament to, their commitment, hard work, and always moving forward mindset!”

“I’d also like to say a huge thank you to all of our brilliant Provider and Employer partners, our wider stakeholders, and of course our leaners, who are on this journey with us, you are all at the heart of everything we do, and this award is as much for you as it us for SIAS.”

“This achievement recognises that we continue to keep our promises to deliver innovative, partnership-led solutions and real value, disrupting the traditional approach to EPA and Awarding.”

“Congratulations to all of the other winners on the night, and to all the other EPAOs who were finalists in our category, we had a fantastic time celebrating what a great sector this is with you all.”

Our Managing Director Steve Smith reflects on the key announcements for our sector from yesterday’s budget statement:

“There were no major surprises for our sector coming out of the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget Statement 2024 yesterday, and whilst there were some early positives in terms of direction of travel for skills, it is clear that much more is still required in terms of investment if we are to create the conditions for success required to deliver a truly global leading skills model.

At SIAS we welcomed the £300 million pledged to support the FE sector in England, a sector we are proud to partner with, although as always much more needs to be done to similarly support the Independent Training Provider sector (ITPs), who do an equally incredible job, and who deliver more than 60% of Apprenticeship starts in England currently – getting that balance right is something I hope this government looks to achieve across the next Parliament, and I know would be valued by both our FE and ITP Provider partners.

The £40 million to introduce Foundation and Shorter Duration Apprenticeships in key sectors is the thin edge of a bigger wedge, but again a step in a direction which we broadly support, I’m very much looking forward to the detail on that, and on much more detail around plans for the reformed Growth & Skills Levy – what training and provision will be in scope?, what will be the actual level of that funding ‘flex’ for non-apprenticeship provision?….these will of course be key questions to answer in terms of the future landscape!

As the leading specialist Awarding Organisation for STEM industries, inclusive of skills for net zero transition, we welcomed, and were encouraged by, several commitments in the Autumn Statement which relate to key sectors which we heavily support and partner with, including:

• A confirmed £70 million for the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund in 2025-26, part of a long-term funding commitment of up to £520 million aimed at fostering growth and resilience for future Health emergencies.
• Hydrogen Production, with confirmed support for 11 green hydrogen projects, the first commercial-scale initiatives of their kind globally.
• Carbon Capture: previously announced multi-year investment into carbon capture and storage was confirmed, £3.9 billion allocated in 2025-26 for the first UK CCUS clusters.
• Nuclear Energy: £2.7 billion to continue development of Sizewell C through 2025-26, and a continued commitment to UK fusion energy research, reinforcing the UK’s position as a global leader in sustainable nuclear energy.

I look forward to SIAS continuing to do our part, working in real partnership with Employers, Providers and our Sector Bodies, to shape those conditions for success, as focus shifts to the critical spending review in Spring 2025.”

We are delighted to announce that Cogent Skills Apprenticeships has officially become the first SIAS Approved Centre, marking a significant early milestone, and following quickly on from the launch of SIAS as a full Awarding Organisation on 25 September.

Steve Smith, Managing Director of SIAS, expressed his excitement about this achievement: “We are thrilled that Cogent Skills Apprenticeships has officially become our first SIAS Approved Centre so quickly after our official launch as a full Awarding Organisation last month. This is a major milestone for both organisations and reflects our shared commitment to setting high standards across training, qualification provision and awarding for STEM Industries.

“Whilst this is the first of many new SIAS Approved Centre announcements we will be making before Christmas, it is special given our alignment as part of the Cogent Skills Group family. I’m feeling very positive about the fantastic partnership that is building between both organisations, particularly since James has come in to lead that business, and we look forward to seeing the first learners get registered and embark on their journey through industry leading SIAS qualifications.”

James McIntosh, Managing Director of Cogent Skills Apprenticeships, shared his enthusiasm: “I am delighted that we are the first approved provider as part of the SIAS Awarding Organisation approved centre process. The qualifications on offer in our sector were long overdue a revamp so we welcome the SIAS approach to collaborate with training providers and employers to create modernised, fit for industry qualifications that are mapped to knowledge, skills and behaviours of the apprenticeship standards we deliver.

“I genuinely believe that SIAS will positively disrupt the qualification market as they have the end point assessment market, and we look forward to working closely with Steve and the team on that journey. Huge credit goes to the apprenticeship team for leading on this work and pulling everything together so quickly to ensure we were the first provider through the process. As the Awarding Organisation grows over the coming years, to say that we are the first provider to be approved will be something we can be extremely proud of.”

The approval of Cogent Skills Apprenticeships came after a rigorous review process, ensuring the right resources and procedures were in place to consistently and effectively deliver SIAS qualifications or approved programmes. This achievement highlights the ongoing synergy between SIAS and Cogent Skills Apprenticeship Training, as they work together to advance the skills and qualifications landscape in the science and technology industries.

At SIAS, we take pride in designing qualifications that meet the highest industry standards and future needs. Our qualifications are developed in collaboration with employers and industry specialists, ensuring they are relevant, valid, and reliable.

We employ a customer-centric approach, leveraging our subject matter expertise and commitment to quality. Every qualification is designed to support the development of skills, jobs, and services, benefiting learners, providers, and employers within our specialized sectors.

We caught up with Debroah Hoggett, our Head of Product and Assessment to learn more about our approach to designing qualifications and how it can benefit you:

Q: What’s SIAS’s approach to designing qualifications?

A: We take an industry-first approach to designing qualifications.  By working closely with employers, sector experts and regulatory bodies we ensure that our qualifications truly address the needs of each sector.  Our focus is on developing rigorous, flexible qualifications that equip learners with the knowledge, skills and competencies essential for the evolving global STEM industries.  We achieve this through a highly collaborative process, partnering with a diverse range of stakeholders and technical experts to guarantee that every qualification is current, relevant, valid and reliable.

Q: You’re developing a set of qualifications for the initial phase, what sort of subject areas are you going to be targeting?

A: In our initial phase, we focused on developing flexible, modular qualifications tailored to key industry sectors. Our current focus includes the process industries and manufacturing, with plans to expand into engineering and low-carbon sectors. These industries face significant skills shortages, with growing demand for qualified professionals. By offering purpose-built, high-quality solutions, we aim to work with our partners and industry leaders to help bridge the skills gap and create pathways for learners to enter sustainable, rewarding careers.

Q: Have you been talking to customers about qualifications and how much input has this given you in developing the portfolio?

A: Absolutely, customer and stakeholder feedback plays a vital role in our qualification development process. We’ve actively collaborate with employers, training providers, and industry bodies to gain insight into their needs and challenges. This input has been instrumental in shaping our qualification portfolio, allowing us to refine the content, structure, and assessment methods to better meet market demands. As a result, our qualifications are not only fit-for-purpose but also impactful in addressing industry needs.

Q: How do we engage with SIAS if we’re interested in finding out more or want to become an ‘Approved Centre’?

A: We are passionately committed to putting our customers at the heart of everything we do. You can find out more by visiting our newly launched website at www.siasuk.com, where you will be able contact our team who can talk you through the process of becoming an Approved Centre.

Q: What’s the longer-term ambitions for SIAS Awarding?

A: The longer-term ambition for SIAS is to become the go to Awarding Organisation for the technical science, engineering, manufacturing and low carbon sectors – renowned for developing qualifications that truly align with industry demands. We aim to broaden our portfolio across the sectors that we specialise in, further driving the development of skills critical to the economy. Additionally, we are focused on enhancing our digital offerings to create flexible, innovative learning pathways and assessments that meet the diverse needs of learners and employers.  Ultimately, our goal is to help bridge the skills gap while equipping learners with the knowledge, skills and competencies for successful, long-term careers.

Thank you for taking the time to speak with us Deb, we can’t wait to see the next phase in SIAS’ Awarding Organisation journey!

Today marks the official launch of SIAS as an Awarding Organisation!

Steve Smith, Managing Director, said:

“As Managing Director of SIAS, I am incredibly proud today at the launch of our new Awarding Organisation (AO), which marks a significant milestone in our journey.

“Over recent years, SIAS has established itself as the leading End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) for STEM industries, gaining a reputation for quality and innovation as we have positively disrupted the apprenticeship assessment space.

“This new venture represents a significant investment into the future and enables us to expand our positive impact even further, building on strong foundations as we now bring the same level of excellence and value we have delivered as an EPAO, to the qualifications and wider Awarding markets.

“The decision to expand to full AO status is rooted in our commitment to delivering high-quality, industry-relevant qualifications that empower individuals and help businesses thrive. By leveraging our expertise gained as an EPAO, we are uniquely positioned to now also provide world-class awarding services and qualifications that meet both employer and learner needs.

“My incredible teams have worked tirelessly to ensure that the highest standards that we set as an EPAO will carry through to this next chapter, ensuring that we can, and will, make a real difference.

“As we move forward, we remain focused on continuing to repay the trust that our partners, learners, and stakeholders have placed in us, and we are excited to continue shaping the future of STEM skills development in the UK and beyond.”

You can explore our full portfolio of apprenticeship standards and new suite of initial regulated qualifications now live on our new website siasuk.com.

If you’d like to hear more about our products and services or how to become a SIAS Approved centre, contact the team today partnerships@siasuk.com.

In this meet-In this meet-the-team article, we talk to Kevin Hughes, an EPA Relationship Manager at SIAS.

Thanks for joining us, Kevin, please tell us a little about who you are and your role at SIAS.
I’m Kevin Hughes and I am one of the EPA managers here at SIAS.
 
How long have you been at SIAS for?
I have worked at SIAS for seven months now.

What was your background before you joined the organisation?
I have worked in the apprenticeship/work based learning sector for around 20 years, supporting and coaching learners through to completion of their apprenticeship. I have also facilitated training for standalone courses.

What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day is usually quite varied, which is what I like. I have meetings with my team or other departments within the organisation as well as training or standardisation sessions. I also have touch point meetings with training providers, reviewing gateway documentation and then having planning meetings with employers and apprentices in order to coordinate their EPA . Of course, being on hand to support providers or employers with any questions they may have.

There’s lots happening at SIAS with a growing product portfolio. What have you found to be the most exciting thing?
I very much enjoy working with such a forward thinking, aspirational organisation, with a professional and supportive culture focused on quality and the customer.  I am excited about future opportunities and career prospects with SIAS, working alongside a dedicated and friendly team.

Please tell us a little bit about Kevin outside work?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, especially dining out or watching live music. To keep myself active I swim around 5 -6 miles a week in a pool, but would like to try open water swimming more often. I also have an allotment that I attempt to grow vegetables on, but it is mainly a constant battle with weeds!

Do you have a final thought for our readers?
In the relatively short time I have been with SIAS I have become aware of the passion & commitment from the team at every level within the organisation . I am very proud to work for SIAS and to be able to play my part in delivering a quality and customer focused service to our providers, partners and apprentices.

We are thrilled to announce that SIAS has successfully expanded its Scope of Recognition with Ofqual Approval to include regulated qualifications, achieving full Awarding Organisation (AO) status.

This strategic transition marks a significant milestone in our journey.  Building on the success of our world-class, customer-focused, End-Point Assessment (EPA) services, we will now also provide qualifications and a range of wider assessment, accreditation, and skills solutions.

Steve Smith, Managing Director at SIAS said: “This is a pivotal and transformational moment for the business.  SIAS as an EPAO has experienced significant growth over the past 2-3 years due to our unique model, and our obsession with providing a high-quality, customer-centric approach – we are now building on these strong foundations with an Awarding Organisation that shares the same mindset.

“The decision to become a full Awarding Organisation aligns with our mission to put our customers’, and STEM industries needs at the centre of everything we do. Our provider and employer partners have expressed a desire for us to broaden our service offering, and we are committed to delivering that in a collaborative way. Our profound understanding of our partners’ opportunities and challenges ensures that, as an Awarding Organisation, our qualifications and wider AO products and services will always align with industry and market requirements.”

From September 2024, SIAS will introduce three distinct product streams: Assessment (EPA), Awarding, and Approved. Our customer service and support model, applied across the entire learner journey, will remain central to our broader AO product and service offering, and we will continue to always provide the comprehensive support to training providers, employers, and learners, that SIAS is famous for!

Steve continued: “Our expansion to a full Awarding Organisation will not impact our existing EPAO services. Nothing in our EPAO operations will be disrupted or changed, this is simply a natural evolution for SIAS, and we will aim to bring the same modern, disruptive approach to awarding as we have done to EPA by #doingthingsdifferently.

“We are launching the Awarding Organisation with a core offer of qualifications in our specialised sectors in the first year, and this initial portfolio will then expand and evolve quickly.
Our AO qualifications and products will, as always, be focused on our specialist technical and vocational STEM areas, inclusive of the future technologies and skills required to achieve industrial net zero targets.

“We will work closely with accredited providers to support the delivery of our qualifications and are aiming to onboard multiple first mover training provider partners before our go-live date this September.

“Supporting STEM industries and employers is what we do, so I’m thrilled that our transition to full Awarding Organisation means we can now deliver even more positive impact to industry at even more scale – and not just in England as we do currently, but in devolved UK nations and international markets, which is exciting!”

Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting journey. We look forward to continuing our mission of delivering exceptional service and supporting the skills development agenda.

In this meet-the-team article, we talk to we talk to Jack Conlon, Product Co-ordinator at SIAS.
 
Thanks for joining us, Jack, please tell us a little about who you are and your role at SIAS.
Hi, I’m Jack, I am a part of the product team at SIAS and my role is Product Co-ordinator. This involves helping to create the products used in our End-Point Assessment standards, from support and guidance documents for apprentices and end-point assessors, to the assessment papers themselves.
 
How long have you been at SIAS for?
I have been at SIAS for just over four months.

What was your background before you joined the organisation?
My previous role was as a Contract & Project Administrator for a data capture company, which on a day-to-day basis involved handling suppliers and contractors for different projects within the business. Before that I’ve worked in retail, sales, and customer service. So, a pretty mixed bag of experience.

What does a typical day look like for you?
I spend most of my time actually in the paperwork, creating the documents that will be used as guidance or assessments papers based on the assessment plan. I also assist with meetings arranged with end-point assessors to review the products we create to ensure that they meet the high standards of SIAS.

There’s lots happening at SIAS with a growing product portfolio. What have you found to be the most exciting thing?
For me it would have to be the pace at which SIAS is growing, even in the short time I have been here it has grown a great deal which is exciting. I’ve been really impressed with how the growth has been managed so that there’s never been a loss of quality.

Please tell us a little bit about Jack outside work?
I have 2 young children, a 6-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son, so they keep me busy when I’m not working. My family is my biggest drive in wanting to do well in and outside of work. I have a good number of hobbies, I play guitar, I’m a big film buff, I enjoy reading fantasy and sci-fi, gaming, drawing and I also like to paint miniatures, I find it really calming. I’ve also been a big Marvel fan since I was a kid. In a nutshell I’m a geek and I love it.
 
Do you have a final thought for our readers?
Just that I’m really happy to be a part of the brilliant team at SIAS. Everybody has a very positive, can-do attitude. SIAS do live up to the standards that they set for themselves as an EPAO and as an employer. It’s been a great 4 months and I’m looking forward to my future here.

In this meet-the-team article, we talk to we talk to Elaine Emery, an Assessment Development Manager at SIAS.
 
Thanks for joining us, Elaine, please tell us a little about who you are and your role at SIAS.
I am an Assessment Development Manager working in the Product Development Team here at SIAS.  This role is primarily about the development and maintenance of the End-Point Assessment (EPA) materials and supporting resources for the Apprenticeship Standards we cover.  I work alongside my colleagues and with subject matter experts to ensure that the assessments are current and relevant to the role and meet industry needs.
 
How long have you been at SIAS for?
I have been working here at SIAS since January 2024.

What was your background before you joined the organisation?
Prior to working at SIAS I have worked with other Awarding Organisations / End-Point Assessment Organisations for approximately 12 years in both product development and operational teams.  Prior to that I worked for the NHS as a contracting / commissioning manager.  NHS services are dedicated to providing the best care possible to patients and I believe working in this environment for many years has given me a real appreciation of the value of good customer service and the importance of working within strict regulations. 

What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day could involve reviewing assessment plans in detail to ensure I fully understand all of the requirements specific to that particular EPA. It also involves working on the development of new assessment materials and resources for an EPA. I meet with subject matter experts to secure their technical expertise to support developments. My role also involves reviewing current EPA materials to ensure that assessments are up to date and fit for purpose and I attend relevant meetings, both internal and external, in relation to the Standards we deliver and to the wider EPA landscape.

There’s lots happening at SIAS with a growing product portfolio. What have you found to be the most exciting thing?
SIAS have really ambitious plans and are working hard to achieve these whilst ensuring they do not compromise on quality or customer service.  It is really exciting to be a part of this and to see how the whole SIAS Team are pulling together to make this a reality.  You really do feel like you are a part of something special.

Please tell us a little bit about Elaine outside work?
I have two grown up sons and two grandchildren who all live locally so I get to see lots of them, which is great. Since childhood I have always been a creative person, and over the years have taken up various hobbies including sewing, knitting and various crafts.  However, my first love has always been art, and I have a particular love for drawing people and animals.  I have been a portrait artist for a number of years now and love the sense of satisfaction from creating a piece of artwork from someone’s old photo.  Also I am due to get married in August this year so when not in work am busy making plans for the big day!
 
Do you have a final thought for our readers?
I am really pleased to have had the opportunity to join SIAS.  They are great both as an employer and as an EPAO and I am really looking forward to seeing their ambitious plans becoming a reality.