Awarding in the shadow of Brexit

I was reminded (again) this week how the UK’s reputation is not how we would like it to be. Our Brexit strategy and inability to deliver a well-ordered, acceptable and uniting deal have made us a laughing stock. These are such uncomfortable words to write.

In the serious business of awarding I am wondering what the impact of crashing out without a deal might be, given the strong chance that might happen if Boris becomes the Conservative leader.

A lot of work

Qualification delivery in EU/international markets of UK awards has tended to be a fairly easy thing to make happen, if you can get the guarantees on the quality of the delivery partner/s, assurances on the assessment and quality assurance arrangements and  systems that you want/need, and a sense that potential for malpractice or maladministration is minimalised. Though the reality is that setting up these safeguards for international delivery is more complex and resource heavy. It takes understanding and negotiation skill too.

A nation that can positively do business

My biggest concern in the shadow of Brexit is that the UK’s reputation is tarnished. That we are seen as a nation not able to talk nicely and achieve a win/win when working with us.  

So how do we overcome this? The Universities have been fairly successful in the work they have done to boost the UK University brand. However, UK awarding is that bit more fragmented. The British Council offer International Education Services (IES) that supports AOs. How good this service is I’m not sure. The AOs I have been part of and seen working internationality seem to have got the business from using their own networks and promoting themselves effectively.

Championing UK vocational awarding

We could do with coming together with good case studies, PR, advocacy and positive decelerations from international stakeholders, including governments that we are good to do business with, can be relied upon and not flaky.

But even if we don’t want to develop international markets, for whatever reasons, being part of promoting UK awarding would be a good thing. I for one would like to see that UK awarding was better understood, what vocational awarding organisations do, and the important role played by the sector. Making sure it’s understood we are different to the general qualification bodies for obvious reasons.

Heather Venis

Awarding First