The Skills Commission’s inquiry into Level 4 and 5 Higher Technical Qualifications held its second evidence session via Zoom on Tuesday 17 May 2022. 

The inquiry is co-chaired by:

• Sir John Hayes MP  
• Baroness Garden of Frognal
• Mr Graham Hasting-Evans, CEO of NOCN

This evidence session focused on the Creative and design pathways.

Oral evidence was provided on Level 4 and 5 Higher Technical Qualifications by the following expert witnesses:

• Daniel Carpenter, Managing Director, Heritage Crafts Association
• Patricia Lovett MBE, Chair, Heritage Crafts Association
• Tim Weiss, Director of Vocational Skills, ScreenSkills
• Michele Gregson, General Secretary, National Society for Education in Art and Design
• Cat Drew, Chief Design Officer, Design Council
• Ruben Hale, Deputy Director, UAL Awarding Body, University of the Arts London
• Sam Cairns, Co-Director, Cultural Learning Alliance

The following commissioners and observers participated in the session:

• Neil Bates, Chair, Edge Foundation
• Elena Wilson, Policy Manager, Edge Foundation
• Robin Ghurbhurun, Managing Director, Further Education, Skills, Jisc
• Mark Sundhu, Senior Public Affairs, Jisc
• Jonathan Shaw, Strategic Director, Kent Further Education
• Graham Razey OBE, CEO EKC Group, Kent Further Education
• Ms Lilly Aaron, Policy Manager, ACCA Global
• Jan Ellis, Chief Executive, Qdos Education, Career Development Policy Group
• Dr David Cameron, Director of Education, CILEX - the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
• Michelle Gauntlett, Director of Operations, The CPD Standards Office
• Clare Fraser, Public Affairs Manager, City & Guilds Group
• Beatrice Barleon, Head of Public Affairs and Policy, Engineering UK
• Paul Rice, Product Development Manager, Enginuity
• Sam Green, Head of Research and Planning, LTE Group
• Michael Walsh, Vice Principal and Dean, Manchester College/UECN College
• Chris Wright, Assistant Principal: Industry Excellence and Skills Excellence, Manchester College
• Professor Kathryn Mitchell, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, University of Derby
• Professor Ewart Keep, Chair, Education, Training and Skills, University of Oxford
• Gila Tabrizi, Senior Policy Manager, WorldSkills UK
• Selene Washington, Senior Engagement & Planning Manager, Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education
• Olly Box, Higher Technical Education Division, Department for Education

Please contact Teymour.anwar [at] policyconnect.org.uk (teymour[dot]anwar[at]policyconnect[dot]org[dot]uk) for further information.