Meet the team: Sarah Reid

Tell us a bit about your role – what do you do and who do you work with?

I wear several hats at iCQ Awards each focused on empowering our centres and ensuring excellence in qualification or standards delivery.

As an account manager and External Quality Assurer (EQA), I work very closely with our training providers. My role is all about building strong relationships and helping centres deliver positive learner experiences. This could mean anything from training and support with using our iLearner platform, guidance through assessment processes, and upholding high standards in quality assurance.

As an End-Point Assessor, I work directly with apprentices across a range of standards, ensuring their final assessments reflect the skills, knowledge, and behaviours they’ve developed throughout their programme. This role allows me to champion quality and support learner success.

Most recently, I have been coordinating iCQ’s qualification development to ensure that they meet regulatory requirements, industry standards, and the needs of learners and employers.

Tell us a bit about you – when did you start with iCQ Awards, what was your previous experience?

I’ve been with iCQ Awards since 2015, and the last decade has flown!

Prior to this, I have been a Training Manager, HR Manager and most recently, 15 years as Operations Director for a large, national training provider. I chose to step back from that demanding role after having my children, shifting my focus while staying close to the vocational sector.

My career in work-based learning started as an Assessor and Internal Quality Assurer following a retail management role with the House of Fraser Group. I love retail both from an Assessor’s view and as a regular customer! It’s great to see the ongoing changes, but sad to see the bricks and mortar leave our high streets.

What do you like most about working in the education sector

The ever-evolving landscape of work-based learning keeps things exciting and rewarding, but the real joy comes from seeing learners grow, achieve, and thrive in their chosen career paths. Supporting that journey is what makes the work truly meaningful.

Tell us about a time or some of your experiences where you have seen the impact that qualifications or apprenticeships have made for individual learners?

During End-Point Assessments (EPAs), it’s natural for apprentices to feel nervous, and I’m proud to play a part in helping ease those nerves. Many apprentices are required to complete a project as part of their EPA, and I’m often genuinely impressed by the impact these projects have on their organisations, both financially and culturally. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness their growth and the real-world value they bring.