OCN London recognised for innovation in skills and qualification design

A year of meaningful recognition for innovation

OCN London has received two significant industry awards that recognise our commitment to modern, flexible and credible skills recognition. This year, we were awarded the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry SME Business Innovation Award and the Federation of Awarding Bodies Innovation Excellence Award.

These achievements reflect our longstanding mission to ensure that learning remains accessible, responsive and grounded in real world needs. As a not for profit awarding organisation, our focus remains on developing qualifications and accreditation pathways that genuinely support centres, employers and learners.

What innovation means for a modern awarding organisation

Innovation at OCN London is not an add on. It is central to how we design qualifications, support centres and recognise skills. Our work promotes a system in which learning is portable, flexible and aligned to rapidly changing workforce demands.

Across the sector, learners and employees increasingly need skills that can be gained and evidenced quickly. Providers also need agile solutions that can be embedded within existing delivery models. This shift is driving demand for just in time learning and high quality digital recognition.

OCN London continues to shape this space by combining rigorous quality assurance with modern delivery models that support lifelong learning.

Microcredentials and digital credentials meeting sector demand

Much of this year’s recognition highlights our work in microcredentials and digital credentials. These shorter, skills focused pathways provide centres and employers with a practical, quality assured way to recognise specific competencies.

OCN London microcredentials offer:
• rapid deployment of emerging skills needs
• clear alignment to defined skills and outcomes
• the assurance of an Ofqual regulated awarding organisation
• easy integration into existing programmes, workforce development or community learning
• a stackable approach that supports ongoing progression

As local and national policy continues to emphasise modular, skills based learning, microcredentials are becoming an essential tool for employers and educators. They are particularly valuable for sectors experiencing rapid change, such as digital, health, green skills and community based learning.

Recognition that strengthens our sector wide contribution

These two awards highlight different aspects of our contribution to the skills landscape.

The LCCI Business Innovation Award acknowledges the impact of our innovation in supporting growth, employer engagement and the wider skills ecosystem. The FAB Innovation Excellence Award recognises the way our approach is shaping the future of awarding, with an emphasis on flexibility, accessibility and meaningful progression routes.

Together, they reinforce that OCN London is providing an offer that is relevant, future focused and strongly aligned to sector needs.

Driving momentum for what happens next

Recognition provides encouragement, but it also brings responsibility. Our commitment now is to use this momentum to continue strengthening our offer for centres and learners.

Over the coming months and years, we will:

• Continue to listen closely to centres, employers and learners
• Enhance qualification design to reflect sector change and employer insight
• Expand access to high quality just in time learning
• Invest further in digital credentials and flexible assessment models
• Strengthen our role as a thought leader in skills recognition and sector development

Innovation requires informed risk taking, continuous learning and a willingness to re think established models. These awards strengthen our confidence in this direction and reflect the collaborative work of our team and our network.

Thank you to our centres, partners and colleagues

This recognition belongs to everyone who works with us. Our centres, partners and colleagues contribute every day to a culture of innovation that improves opportunities for people and communities across the UK.

We are proud of this milestone, and even more excited about what it enables. OCN London will continue to lead in developing qualifications, accreditation solutions and digital recognition that help organisations support their learners effectively.

If you would like to explore how OCN London can support your organisation with regulated qualifications, bespoke accreditation or microcredentials, you can learn more on our website or contact our team for guidance.

Amarjit Dhanjal, Commercial Director at OCN London

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