Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
The challenge
The organisation plays a central role in shaping the national skills system, overseeing quality across apprenticeships, T-Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications. In 2020, it sought support to strengthen its own operations and those of its partners, while navigating major changes in the external environment.
To do this, the organisation needed a delivery partner that could adapt to changing needs, provide specialist expertise across engagement and operating model design and maintain momentum on key programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The result
We supported the organisation through a flexible, long-term partnership. A lead change specialist provided continuity across programmes, while teams were adapted over time to meet emerging priorities. Our contribution focused on three core areas:
Delivery of a national consultation that launched shortly before the first lockdown. Our work included:
Mapping and assessing a complex stakeholder landscape, including training providers, public bodies and expert organisations.
Designing content, engagement plans and logistics to support effective virtual delivery.
Transitioning the campaign to fully digital formats and running virtual sessions using breakout groups and interactive tools.
Analysing all feedback from written submissions and live sessions, producing full and executive-level reports.
Creating the Employer Directory. We helped the organisation stand up a new employer directory to strengthen employer voice in the skills system. Our work included:
Mobilising a cross-functional team using agile routines and collaboration tools.
Working across business units to define, test and iterate delivery models.
Applying systems thinking to design an operating model based on people, processes and infrastructure.
Leading market engagement and recruitment for the initial employer directory.
Supporting onboarding and establishing governance and team routines.
Equity, diversity and inclusion engagement. We designed and delivered a targeted engagement on the organisation’s equity, diversity and inclusion plans. This involved:
Developing a campaign based on best practice, internal insight and examples from the wider sector.
Managing expert identification, contact, scheduling and follow-up.
Conducting structured interviews and collecting written feedback.
Completing a thematic analysis and preparing internal recommendations.
Outcomes delivered included:
National consultation delivered with strong engagement, high-quality reporting and cross-government relevance.
Continued reform momentum during the pandemic through inclusive, virtual stakeholder engagement.
Employer Directory launched successfully and embedded within the organisation’s operating model.
Strengthened internal capability in agile delivery, co-design and stakeholder engagement.
EDI engagement delivered with clear recommendations and credibility across expert stakeholders.
What made it successful
Adaptability throughout: the programme pivoted quickly to virtual formats without compromising quality or pace.
Cross-functional support: our team provided the right mix of skills across engagement, design and delivery.
Clear alignment: all workstreams were shaped around the organisation’s mission and operating context.
Robust evidence: reporting and analysis provided clear, actionable insight to support decisions.
Building leadership confidence: we supported the organisation to lead change internally and with partners.