Please let us about who you are and your role at SIAS?

Hi, I’m Bethan! I’m a Product Development Manager here at SIAS, where I focus developing and maintaining SIAS qualification, assessment and accreditation products.

How long have you been at SIAS for?

I have been at SIAS for 6 months now.

What was your background before you joined the organisation?

Before joining SIAS, I was a science teacher. Prior to that, I worked in zoos, where I spent a lot of time educating young people about conservation and delivering talks on the animals in our care.

What does a typical day look like for you?

In my role, I manage a portfolio of qualifications and standards, either leading their development or collaborating with others. I also work closely with external subject matter experts to ensure our apprentices receive the most accurate and relevant information possible.

There’s a lot happening at SIAS at the minuet, what have you found to be the most exciting thing?

I’m really excited about the direction we’re taking with renewable energy qualifications. As a business, we’re moving into the low-carbon sector, which feels really forward-thinking. New qualifications in areas like hydrogen energy hold a lot of promise, and personally, I’m passionate about green technology and sustainability, so this is a perfect blend of my interests and work.

Tell us a little bit about yourself outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy walking my dogs and staying active. I’m also a big video gamer. In my spare time, I volunteer with the Air Cadets, where I get to work with young people and help support their development.

Do you have a final thought for readers?

As an EPAO, SIAS stands out because we’re innovative and responsive. We’re always open to new ideas and work closely with partners to develop qualifications that truly meet market needs. Our approach is flexible and forward-looking, and we’re proud to deliver products that help shape the future of apprenticeships.

In this week’s meet-the-team article, we are talking to Charlotte Taylor-Jones, Executive Assistant and Administrator.

Thank you for joining us Charlotte, please tell us more about who you are and your role at SIAS?
Hi, I’m Charlotte, known as Charly, and I am the Executive Assistant to the Managing Director of SIAS, Steve Smith.

How long have you been at SIAS for?
I have worked at SIAS now for around 5 months, and I’ve loved every second.

What was your background before you joined the organisation?
Before joining SIAS, I was working in the Aviation and Events industry. I mainly worked across personal assistant roles across the aviation sector.

What does a typical day look like for you?
My typical day at SIAS includes diary management for Steve, minute taking for SIAS’s Senior Leadership Team and ad hoc tasks like booking travel and accommodation for people within he business. I also work closely with the Admin and Operations teams to help them with any administrative needs they have.

There’s lots happening at SIAS with a growing product portfolio. What have you found to be the most exciting thing?
As a whole, I am really excited to see how SIAS grows over the next few years and the direction that the business is stepping in.

Please tell us a little bit about Charly outside of work?
Outside of work I like to be as active as possible, with hikes, dog walks, spin classes, weight training and going to gigs. My current goal is to complete the Three Peaks Challenge in 2026!

Do you have a final thought for our readers?
As a final thought I would like to say how incredible it is to work for a company like SIAS, and I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for myself and the business.

South Eastern Regional College (SERC) has officially been approved as the first SIAS Approved Centre in Northern Ireland, and will be delivering modern, modular regulated qualifications in Healthcare Estates and Facilities Engineering. This significant milestone follows an ongoing collaboration between SERC, SIAS, and Belfast Health and Social Care NHS Trust to develop innovative and industry-relevant training courses and qualifications.

As part of this partnership, we were delighted to be launching the first qualification – the SIAS Level 2 Certificate in the Fundamentals of Healthcare Estates. The qualification addresses crucial skills gaps in the healthcare sector and ensures estates professionals are equipped with the knowledge and competencies required for modern operations.

Steve Smith, Managing Director of SIAS, commented: “I am delighted to welcome SERC as our first SIAS Approved Centre in Northern Ireland. This collaboration marks a crucial step in our unwavering commitment to supporting the Northern Ireland technical and vocational skills agenda. The launch of the SIAS Level 2 Certificate in the Fundamentals of Healthcare Estates is just the beginning, and we look forward to working with SERC across a range of wider qualification and curriculum areas to support key, STEM industries in Northern Ireland – inclusive of future technologies to support the Green Energy transition.

“SERC are a fantastic College whose values and ethos very much align with our own, their high-quality provision and the way they positively support employers and learners to achieve skills and workforce development goals is exciting. We look forward to being able to contribute and add value to the important work and impact which SERC deliver to the communities they serve.”

Stephen McGreevy, SERC Lead Business Manager, added: “We are delighted to become a SIAS Approved Centre, and we are looking forward to bringing candidates on board and starting the course delivery in our dedicated, specialist campus facilities.

“Working with SIAS, an innovative, dynamic Awarding Organisation has been an exciting process, and we are proud to have come to the end of that journey as the first centre in Northern Ireland to achieve SIAS approved status.

“We have secured interest from major employers who appreciate our commitment to meeting industry needs, and I know that our continuing collaboration with SIAS will produce further opportunities to deliver professional, skilled personnel to meet industry needs.”

The launch of this qualification is a major step forward in the drive to professionalise and modernise healthcare estates and facilities engineering training. Following the launch of the Level 2 course in January 2025, a Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma will launch in September 2025.

For more information about this qualification and other awarding services, please contact partnerships@siasuk.com.

At SIAS, we believe the journey to net zero starts with skills. That’s why we’re committed to developing qualifications, and wider awarding solutions, that are rigorous, agile, and which perfectly align to the future skills needs required for rapidly transitioning global STEM industries.

We caught up with Lindsay Price, Head of Commercial, to talk about SIAS’s commitment to supporting the hydrogen industry and our recently launched L2 Award in the Introduction to Hydrogen Safety – the first regulated qualification in the UK aligned to the Hydrogen Skills Framework.

A growing industry needs new skills

The Hydrogen industry is a rapidly evolving sector with the potential for this green energy source being rapidly harnessed. This therefore requires an agile and qualified workforce to respond quickly and safely to the new skills that this energy source demands. The upskilling and redeploying of workers currently in complementary industries is the key to efficiently convert to working with Hydrogen from traditional energy sources.

Leading with the first Hydrogen Qualification

SIAS are the first Awarding Organisation to develop provision aligned to the  Hydrogen Skills Framework, published by the Hydrogen Skills Alliance.  This Framework has been developed by industry experts and regulators to identify exactly what skills will be required for the future workforce in this vital industry. The SIAS Level 2 Introduction to Hydrogen Safety is the first qualification in the Hydrogen suite to be launched. This Ofqual regulated qualification is designed for both technical and non-technical staff, and supports workforce development by providing individuals with the foundational knowledge needed for safe and compliant hydrogen operations, contributing to the transition to a low-carbon economy.

What’s coming next

The next step in the SIAS development phase will be a large suite of modular qualifications aimed both to cover the occupations across the Hydrogen value chain, and then the job roles within those occupations. This approach will provide role and occupation-specific regulated qualifications, to allow Providers and Employers to deliver exactly what their workforce requires.

Working together for a skilled sector

There are many stakeholders which make up the eco-system of Hydrogen training, from the Employer themselves, to regulators, Combined Authorities, advisory groups, training providers, and the landscape can be uncertain when it comes to understanding what skills are required and what content should be delivered. SIAS is committed to working in partnership with industry to create the qualifications which will give stakeholders exactly what they need for the Hydrogen workforce, and will ensure consistency and quality across the sector.

If you are interested in discussing our Hydrogen qualifications further, please contact us at partnerships@siasuk.com

SIAS, a leading Awarding Organisation for science, manufacturing, engineering and low carbon industries, and Reynolds Training Services, a training provider for technical training for onsite professionals in the process industries, are delighted to announce that Reynolds Training Services has officially become a SIAS Approved Centre.

This achievement 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 Reynolds Training Services has become a SIAS Approved Centre and will be initially delivering our new L2 Award in in the Introduction to Hydrogen Safety and Level 2 Award in Process Safety Awareness qualifications.

“We are really committed to continuing to work with Reynolds Training, their employer partners, and wider stakeholders,  to develop and take into market later this year a modern, modular, wider portfolio of qualifications to support the Bulk Liquid/Tank Storage sectors – this partnership  reflects our mutual dedication to delivering high-quality training and qualifications that align with labour market demands across key UK industries.”

Managing Director of Reynolds Training Services, John Reynolds, commented: “This step is a key strategic aspect of our growth and how we develop and position qualifications and career pathways for Bulk Storage Operations, Process Industries and other associated sectors.

The move is about how we partner with SIAS across a range of elements and develop as an Independent Training Provider, we are collaborating closely with SIAS, the Tank Storage Association and wider sector on development of a qualification structure that will be industry leading, whilst at the same time able to access other qualifications that will underpin our service delivery.

Our first courses being delivered under our SIAS Centre that will lead to a Level 2 Qualification will be Process Safety and Hydrogen… Dates will be announced very soon.”

This partnership marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, reinforcing both organisations’ commitment to supporting industry professionals with top-tier training and qualifications that drive excellence across the sector.

From welcoming so many of you at our exhibition stand, to co-sponsoring the Closing Network Reception, and finally, celebrating the very best in apprenticeships at the Apprenticeship & Training Awards – it’s been an incredible week for SIAS at ATC2025.

Across the two days, we had a brilliant time connecting with passionate professionals who share our vision for the future of skills. We were also honoured to co-sponsor the the Closing Network Reception with Innovate Awarding and Learning Curve Group, perfectly closing two days of learning, connection, and progress in the skills sector.

As the proud sponsor of the Best Partnerships in Training Award, we’d like to say a huge congratulations to Umbrella Training & Home Grown Hotels, and all the other winners and finalists. It was a privilege to celebrate the exceptional achievements of employers and training providers across the UK, recognising their vital role in developing a skilled and diverse workforce.

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat and shared their insights on how we can continue to move the skills sector forward.

SIAS isn’t just an Awarding Organisation – we’re a movement. A commitment to progress. A promise to inspire. Together, let’s shape the future of skills.

Let’s keep #AlwaysMovingForward together.

Earlier this week we launched our new defining purpose – Always Moving Forward.  We caught up with Steve Smith, Managing Director to hear more about what this is and why it matters.

 What is Always Moving Forward?

“It’s a mindset, it’s a mission, it’s a point of difference.

“It’s about being bold and on the front foot, it’s about being relentlessly positive and being clear about who we are cheering on!

“To us at SIAS it’s not just another strapline or campaign, it’s something that has become central to our DNA over the past 3 years, and I believe has been the single biggest driver behind the success that we have had.

“If you look at SIAS over the time of my tenure what has truly defined us? For me it’s the fact that every single day we are moving forward, some days it’s big steps, some days small, but we are never, ever, standing still.

“And, you can take your pick from a thousand ways we deliver aligned to the mantra ‘Always Moving Forward’.  It could be about how we’ve disrupted the market through introducing new and very different ways to award and assess, our unique partnership model which delivers so much value to our customers, how we really embrace future technologies, or our commitment to only developing innovative modern products which rapidly transitioning STEM industries need.  Or, maybe it’s simply how at SIAS we just get a lot of stuff done each and every day….ultimately it’s all about always moving forward – and that defines both our internal culture and values, but also our external offer and value proposition….and it’s what makes us different from legacy Awarding Organisations.”

Why is it important?

“Because our world is changing, because it’s moving forward as well, faster than ever!

“We are in the middle of a technological evolution so for me moving forward as an AO is no longer optional—it is essential. Always Moving Forward is our way of working to meet the needs of that changing world.

“We’ve recognised that the industries we serve, STEM employers, are facing unprecedented challenges as they transition to a 21^st century industrial landscape and low carbon economy. They require modern, agile solutions to bridge skills gaps, develop talent pipelines, and future-proof their workforces – and they need to be able to work with an AO partner that can move at the same pace their world is moving at, because they need high quality awarding and assessment solutions now, not 2 years from now.

“But for me Always Moving Forward is about more than just keeping up with change; it is about SIAS trying to lead it. I can see that artificial intelligence, automation, and other emerging technologies are reshaping our sector, and we need to be a part of that, pro-active not reactive.

“SIAS qualifications and assessment, skills training, workforce development – all parts of the eco-system must evolve in tandem. Through Always Moving Forward we are going to challenge outdated models, I make no apologies for that, because it’s only through shaking things up, and pushing outside comfort zones, that we can get better and deliver solutions to Providers and Employers that will make that real transformational difference to them and importantly to learners as well.

“Above all, for me Always Moving Forward is about opportunity—new industries, new jobs, and new ways of working. Through Always Moving Forward, we are going to ensure that awarding and assessment is not a barrier to progress, but a catalyst for transformation.”

What does Always Looking Forward mean for SIAS in 2025?

“For starters it means all the above!

“And it’s going to be exciting!

“We have a range of agile, modular, STEM focused qualifications which we are taking into market – qualifications which are built in a modern way, nested and aligned to the most up to date frameworks and occupational standards, qualifications built in collaboration with industry to ensure they truly meet the needs of employers both now and in the future – and we are building 21^st century digital assessments to support our qualification portfolio, which can be accessed quickly and flexibly.

“AI, Hydrogen, Nuclear, Low Carbon Transition, Carbon Literacy and Sustainability, Battery & Electrification – just some of the critical future technology spaces where SIAS Qualifications and Accredited solutions will be market leading this year.

“We are also going to be partnering with two organisations that share our Always Moving Forward values, to jointly bring to our customers new products and services which will use immersive learning, virtual reality, and AI, to both support and enhance our EPA and qualification services – this is going to really positively disrupt the market again and something I know our partners and customers are going to be excited about, so watch this space.

“We are going to be working and delivering impact not just in England now, but Northern Ireland and the other devolved nations as well – and we will be on-boarding first Provider and Employer partners internationally this year in markets across SE Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.

“By the end of this year we are planning on having our first product for schools developed as well!

“And the way we talk to our partners, the way we engage with our market, will also evolve, through Always Moving Forward we will connect with people and organisations through a shared set of values and aspirations, and for those that embrace the Always Moving Forward mindset it will be SIAS who will be cheering you on!”

Last week several policy changes impacting Apprenticeships and End-Point Assessment were announced by the DfE during National Apprenticeship Week 2025.

These changes included the introduction of Shorter Minimum Duration for selected Apprenticeship standards, the removal of Functional Skills achievement as a Gateway requirement for 19+ Adult Apprentices on all Occupational Standards effective immediately, and an announcement around future changes to End-Point Assessment, with Apprenticeship Assessment and EPA moving in time to a ‘principles-based’ model.

At SIAS we support the over-arching intentions behind these changes – everyone within this great sector agrees that less cost coupled with more starts, speed, flexibility, consistency, and ultimately achievement, across the entirety of the apprenticeship journey, can only bring benefit – but quality must be equally important if we truly aspire to have a credible and world leading skills offer.

For many Employers, especially across the STEM industry’s that SIAS supports, English and Maths will always remain an important part of developing job readiness. So, whilst we welcome these additional flexibilities around L2 English and Maths for those involved in Apprenticeship delivery, we also recognise the importance of Employer and Provider choice – as an industry led organisation, we are looking forward to supporting all our partners with their decisions and choices around English and Maths requirements.

In relation to the shift over time to a different and principles-based End Point Assessment model, I do have some early concerns around how thought-through these announced changes have been to this point, there are certainly more questions than answers right now for all stakeholders to consider, and I believe potential challenges ahead in terms of how this could be rolled out in a way that can actually deliver tangible positive improvements and cost benefits for all – this needs to achieve real deliverables, and not just be another change for the sake of change.

However, what is in no doubt is that seven years into EPA, and with the market maturing, it is the right time to look at what has worked well to date, and where improvements can now be made – Awarding Organisations playing a more central role in the re-design of new Assessment Plans, a firm commitment to retaining an independent quality assurance and delivery of assessments, alongside more direct involvement from Providers and Employers in certain parts of the assessment process, appear at this stage central to the Departments objectives.

Getting the balance right as more details and timelines emerge, and implementation begins to take shape, will be pivotal – finding that sweet spot between speed, flexibility and short term gains, balanced with independent quality and rigour, is the only way to ensure that our Apprenticeship offer in England remains fit for purpose and relevant as a confirmation of a learners competency, skills and knowledge – something which at SIAS we take incredibly seriously, particularly given the technical and often high hazard environments across which many of the Apprentices we support work, learn, achieve, and progress.

We will of course continue to work closely with the Department, Federation of Awarding Bodies, Ofqual, and our valued Employer and Provider partners, as we continue to understand future detail behind these policy changes.

Steve Smith

The National Skills Academy for Nuclear (NSAN) has been officially approved as the third SIAS Approved Centre to deliver SIAS qualifications, marking a significant milestone in advancing skills development within the nuclear sector. This partnership will facilitate the creation of a new regulated qualification – the SIAS Level 2 Award in Growing Awareness in the Nuclear Industry.  This qualification will underpin NSAN’s widely recognised Growing Awareness in Nuclear (GAIN) Lite training programme.

The qualification has been meticulously designed to address the needs of non-technical employees, including early careers entrants, recent recruits, and professionals transitioning into the nuclear sector. Developed through collaboration between NSAN, nuclear employers, and industry experts, this one-day training programme, now underpinned by the SIAS Level 2 Award in Growing Awareness in the Nuclear Industry, is specifically tailored to prepare individuals for the unique demands of working within the nuclear industry. By easing the transition into the sector, GAIN Lite provides a solid foundation for new entrants and supports employers in meeting their induction and upskilling requirements.

Steve Smith, Managing Director at SIAS, said: “We are delighted to welcome NSAN as our third Approved Centre for Qualification delivery. Their commitment to high-quality training provision and their understanding of the nuclear sector is respected across industry. The development of the SIAS Level 2 Award in Growing Awareness in the Nuclear Industry in collaboration with NSAN, exemplifies the type of modern and innovative Qualifications that SIAS is committed to developing. We look forward to working closely with NSAN to further enhance the skills and qualifications landscape in this critical industry for the UK and globally.”

Zoë Whittington, Head of Business Development at NSAN, said: “We are thrilled to have become one of the first SIAS Approved Centres and to launch the SIAS Level 2 Award in Growing Awareness in the Nuclear Industry. The GAIN programme has already been instrumental in preparing individuals for the nuclear sector, and this new qualification developed to align and support this provision is a testament to its success and impact. We’re proud to have worked with employers and experts to develop a solution that meets the sector’s needs, and we’re excited to see how this partnership with SIAS will further benefit the industry.”

The collaboration between NSAN and SIAS represents a step forward in meeting the evolving demands of the nuclear workforce, ensuring employees are well-equipped to succeed in their roles. This partnership highlights the ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation in nuclear skills training, supporting the sector’s long-term growth and sustainability.

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.