Joining The Workforce Development Trust – One year on
On 1 April 2025 (yes, we’re aware of the date), iCQ Awards became part of The Workforce Development Trust group, marking an important milestone in our journey.
Now, one year on, it’s safe to say the move has been a positive one!
Match made in heavan
From the outset, there was a clear alignment between iCQ and The Trust in terms of values, culture and commitment to workforce development. Joining the group provided the opportunity to build on our existing strengths while benefitting from greater collaboration with experts across the sectors we work with, shared knowledge and a broader reach to support even more organisations.
Most importantly, it felt like a natural fit – not something you can always guarantee when bringing two organisations together.
What we’ve achieved together
Over the past 12 months, we’ve continued to grow and evolve, including:
- Developing new apprenticeship assessments in the hospitality sector, with 46 standards (and counting!) now supported.
- Launching new qualifications in health and social care across England and Northern Ireland, supporting the development of priority skills.
- Strengthening our position as a leading apprenticeship assessment organisation in travel by supporting the role out of the cabin crew apprenticeship and celebrating award-winning apprentices in facilities management.
- Developing new bi-lingual hospitality qualifications for Wales.
- Worked with sister organisation People 1st International to support the development of the National Certificate in Airside Operations.
- Launched the iCQ Future Stars support grant for hospitality apprentices in partnership with People 1st International.
- Extended the range of awarding and assessment services available to our centres through our new partnership with sister organisation SFJ Awards.
- Celebrated the achievements of learners and organisations through taking part in Our Health Heroes, run by sister organisation Skills for Health.
The proof is in the pudding (and not just for our chef learners!). These achievements show how working together has allowed us to make faster progress, and reflect the combined efforts of colleagues across iCQ and the wider WDT group. All of our goals centre around working together to deliver for our customers and learners.
Looking ahead
The qualifications and apprenticeships landscape continues to evolve, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Meeting the needs of apprenticeship assessment reform is an ongoing conversation across the group and the organisations we support. Skills development continues at pace using insights from the workforce development projects being carried out across health and social care, hospitality, travel, and facilities management among others.
As part of The Workforce Development Trust, iCQ is well placed to respond, adapt and continue to grow. This progress wouldn’t be possible without the ongoing support, collaboration and enthusiasm of our customers, whose commitment to developing skills and talent continues to drive everything we do. Thank you to all our recognised centres and partners.
If the first twelve months are anything to go by, we’re excited about what will come next.
