Core Competencies

Micro-Credentials

Represented by a badge icon in red, conveying energy, action, and the foundational visible credential that learners earn.

Global research, system design, and implementation support grounded in comprehensive international research and proven practice.

We research micro-credential policy, the design, and impact around the world. In addition, we utilise that research to support the design and implementation of micro-credentials to support lifelong learning, vocational education, higher education, and adult education. From initial strategy through system design, programme development, and quality improvement, we ensure micro-credentials deliver measurable value for learners, employers, and education organisations.

Digital Credentials

Represented by a shield with radiating light in orange, expressing technological innovation, security, and the verification systems that protect digital badge integrity.

Strategy development, policy frameworks, platform selection and management, quality assurance services, and full technical implementation of digital badge systems.

Our digital credentialing solutions transform learning into secure, verifiable, credible digital assets that learners can share safely and employers can instantly validate. We provide end-to-end support: strategy development, policy frameworks, platform selection and implementation, quality assurance, and ongoing system management. As an independent third party with a decade of experience in quality assurance and significant experience and expertise in the digital credentialing world via research, presentations, and experience, we add credibility that goes beyond internal certification, research shows this external validation significantly enhances the perceived value and market recognition of digital credentials.

Research

Represented by a magnifying glass in yellow, representing illumination and discovery, the research that lights the way for evidence-based practice.

Comparative analysis, international benchmarking, and contextual adaptation of global best practices to meet local regulatory and stakeholder requirements.

We conduct applied research that translates complex educational challenges into actionable recommendations. Our work spans international comparative analysis, benchmarking studies, and contextual adaptation of global best practices to local regulatory and cultural contexts. Recent projects include research for ConCoVE into utilising AI for assessment development and the place of micro-credentials in New Zealand. For Food & Fibre CoVE we have undertaken research into modular and dynamic learning, as well as a joint project between both coves into appreciating and supporting neurodiversity. We don’t just produce reports—we deliver insights that drive practical change in education and training systems.

Qualifications & Assessment Design

Represented by an evaluation checklist in teal, symbolising clarity and precision in measuring learning outcomes.

Creating robust, fit-for-purpose qualification and assessment strategies that accurately measure learning outcomes, align with qualification standards, and support diverse learner success around the world.

We create comprehensive qualification & assessment designs that accurately measure learning while remaining accessible to diverse learner populations. Our designs balance validity and reliability with practical usability, incorporating accessibility considerations from the outset rather than as afterthoughts. From apprenticeships to micro-credentials, and from the UK to Australia and New Zealand, we have designed and developed varied assessments across a wide range of levels and have also trained AI into what makes a good automated assessment as part of ConCoVE research about using AI to develop assessments.

Quality Assurance

Represented by a checkmark badge in blue, embodying trust, reliability, and assurance that standards are consistently met.

Establishing frameworks and conducting reviews that ensure educational offerings meet regulatory requirements, drive continuous improvement, and build market credibility.

We establish quality assurance frameworks and conduct rigorous reviews that ensure educational offerings meet regulatory requirements while enabling innovation. Our QA approach balances compliance with continuous improvement, helping organisations build systematic processes for maintaining standards without stifling creativity. Whether providing quality assurance for qualification and assessments, or providing third-party quality assurance for digital credentials, we help organisations demonstrate credibility and build market confidence.

We are thrilled to be partnering with the digital badging platform Navigatr on a series of Quality Assurance measures to bring greater integrity and trust to their digital badging. There will be Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels:

🥉 Bronze – Self-Review
A short, three-module piece of online training designed for badge creators. It gives guidance and a QA checklist to quality assure their own badges, with interactive quizzes and a final badge recognising completion.
👉 Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eYKDEDS9

👀 Preview the first module on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eVSCSHds

🥈 Silver – Peer Review
This is a two-session live online piece of training, focusing on peer-reviewing each others work using the Navigatr QA framework. People who complete this earn a badge and they can then add the Silver Framework to their badges, showcasing that their credentials have been peer reviewed by someone else within the team.

🥇 Gold – Independent Quality Assurance
The highest level, where a third-party expert reviews the learning (and assessment) against the badge criteria. Badges achieving this level proudly carry the Navigatr Gold QA Framework mark.

Artificial Intelligence

Represented by a data transformation process in navy, capturing AI’s ability to convert unstructured inputs into organised, valuable outputs through intelligent processing: the foundation of research automation and assessment design.

Research-driven AI integration, ethical framework development, and assessment design automation that maintains educational rigour while leveraging technological innovation.

We apply AI strategically within educational contexts, grounding our work in research and ethical frameworks that prioritise learner outcomes and assessment validity. Our AI expertise spans automated assessment generation for vocational qualifications, research into AI applications in education and training, and development of ethical guidelines for responsible AI implementation. We’ve trained AI systems to understand quality assessment design principles and conducted world-first research with Epic Learning into AI-generated assessment development, ensuring technology enhances rather than replaces human expertise in education.

Neuroinclusivity

Represented by neural pathways in magenta, symbolising diversity, inclusion, and how different thinking patterns connect to strengthen learning for everyone.

Designing education systems, assessments, and credentials that work effectively for all learners, ensuring equitable access and removing barriers to participation and success.

We focus on showcasing how best to support those with neurodiversity, and promoting wider accessibility. Our approach maintains educational rigour while removing unnecessary barriers, we’ve led significant research into supporting and valuing neurodiversity in education and workplace settings, translating evidence into practical improvements that benefit everyone.