Welcome to SkillED Innovation
Building Bridges from Classroom to Career through Vocational Skills
At SkillED Innovation, we provide a solution for young people who need a fresh approach to education – one that empowers them to succeed in the vocational world. We connect young people with employers to showcase the real-world relevance of their studies, providing tailored skill development to bridge the gap between school and post-16 opportunities.
Employer-Led Curriculum
Our programmes are designed in partnership with industry experts, ensuring students gain real-world skills that employers value.
Workplace Readiness
From professional behaviours to practical know-how, we focus on preparing students to excel in their chosen field.
Further Education Awareness
We guide students towards future pathways in Further Education and apprenticeships, ensuring they make informed decisions about their next steps.
Skill Training for Success
Our intensive training programmes focus on essential vocational skills, building capability and confidence in all vocational areas.
Our mission is clear: to bridge the gap between secondary education and further education with a fresh, practical approach. By delivering innovative, employer-led curricula and tailored skill training to secondary school students who are disengaged with traditional pathways, we empower students to uncover their potential, build self-assurance and confidently navigate life beyond school. Our programme provides a seamless transition into their next steps, reducing the risk of students becoming NEET after their GCSE’s.
Tailored Skills Training
Developing more than IQ
At SkillED Innovation, we nurture emotional, practical, creative, and academic skills to unlock student potential. This balanced approach prepares them for exams, careers, and life, fostering adaptability, innovation, and strong communication. We empower students to thrive in a changing world and contribute to society.
Our Curriculum Topics
Our programme offers an engaging alternative for students who need a different pathway. It re-engages students in GCSE English and maths by linking lessons to real-world careers and aspirations, while preparing them for their next steps.
Learn more about our curriculum and how we support our work with research and scientific understandings - ‘Our Curriculum’
In further education, we’ve seen many young people lose their place in vocational courses or apprenticeships due to a lack of soft skills and pathway expectations. Our mission is to prepare them for these opportunities while equipping them with the tools and resilience to succeed and achieve their goals.
Our Why?
With over 25 years of combined experience in education, we have witnessed first-hand the challenges facing young people today. These challenges have driven us to create SkillED Innovation, addressing the critical gaps that hinder students’ progress and future success. Some of the key reasons behind our mission include:
NEET Rates
Over 10% of young people aged 16 to 18 in the UK are classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), with rates rising even higher in regions such as County Durham.
Gap from school to FE or Apprenticeships
Many school leavers lack the fundamental skills needed to access further education or apprenticeships, leaving entry requirements for even the most basic levels out of reach.
Students in Core Subjects
English and maths are critical gateways to further education and employment opportunities, yet thousands of students leave school without passing these essential subjects, often unaware of the profound impact this can have on their future prospects.
The Need to Empower Students
Research consistently demonstrates that project-based, hands-on learning enhances student engagement and motivation. By emphasising tangible outcomes and real-world applications, students can clearly see the relevance of their education, fostering a strong sense of purpose and direction.
Retention in Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship retention rates are heavily influenced by a lack of preparedness in essential skills and workplace behaviours.
Addressing Regional Challenges
In areas like the North East, where NEET rates and skills shortages are particularly acute, the ability for young people to possess the base level skills to meet the opportunities available are needed to build brighter futures, contributing to local economic growth and social mobility.
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FAQs
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SkillED Innovation offers flexible, tailored programmes designed to meet the needs of students and schools. Our sessions run two days a week throughout the academic year at our dedicated site. Alternatively, for schools with larger groups (minimum of ten students), we can deliver our programmes directly on-site, ensuring convenience and continuity.
By attending our sessions, students benefit from a focused, engaging environment that encourages active participation and skill development. For schools opting for on-site delivery, we collaborate closely with your English and maths departments to integrate key skills into our sessions.
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SkillED Innovation is an alternative education provider specialising in supporting young people who have become disengaged from mainstream education. Schools can either send their students to our dedicated site, where we run programmes two days a week, or opt for on-site delivery at their school.
For on-site delivery, all we require is a classroom and a screen for our presentations, making it easy to integrate our programme into your existing setup.
Our tailored programmes are designed to re-engage students, helping them build skills and confidence while fostering a renewed commitment to their education.
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We are highly experienced education professionals with extensive backgrounds in vocational training, culminating in leadership roles such as directorships and managing schools with over 1,000 students. Our expertise includes safeguarding, health and safety, and employer led curriculum. We stay up to date with current legislation and best practices to provide the highest standards of support and care.
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The curriculum is designed for secondary school students who are disengaged from their current studies and need guidance on their next steps. These students often find that the traditional academic pathway doesn’t align with their goals and are more likely to transition into further education colleges to pursue vocational programmes. Our aim is to bridge this gap and prepare them for a successful move into vocational training and future career opportunities.
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While students do not gain accredited qualifications through the SkillED Innovation programme, its success is measured by their improved performance in GCSE English and maths, often surpassing their initial predicted grades. The programme also ensures a smooth transition into further education or apprenticeships, driven by our employer and industry-led intelligence and curriculum.
We call this goal "Gain and Sustain"—helping students not only secure post-16 opportunities but also maintain them. Too many young people lose their places due to misinformation, misguidance, or misunderstandings, and our programme is designed to bridge these gaps, equipping students with the skills and confidence to achieve lasting success.
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The SkillED Innovation curriculum is a programme designed to run two days per week throughout the year. It includes opportunities for employer engagement, community projects, and graduation events. However, we understand that schools have varying needs, so the programme is highly flexible, allowing students to join at any point in the year and still gain meaningful education. This adaptability ensures that schools can effectively prepare students for further education or vocational pathways, no matter their circumstances.
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To achieve the best outcomes, we maintain a maximum ratio of eight students per staff member. This approach enables us to foster a safe, supportive environment while delivering a personalised and high-quality experience for every participant. By keeping groups small, each student benefits from individual attention and tailored guidance, helping them to succeed.
We are deeply committed to inclusivity, ensuring our programme is accessible to students of all abilities and backgrounds. Our mixed groups, comprising both male and female students, encourage collaboration and mutual understanding, preparing them for diverse real-world settings. With adaptive teaching methods at the core of our approach, we ensure that all learners, regardless of ability, actively engage and thrive throughout the programme.
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If you choose to partner with us, we kindly request quarterly meetings to review our curriculum model, ensuring it aligns with your expectations for entry-level workers. Additionally, we would appreciate your permission to feature your logo on our website as a testament to our valued partnership.
While there is no obligation, we warmly welcome any further support you may wish to offer, such as delivering guest lectures about your sector, conducting mock interviews with our students, or contributing through equipment donations or sponsorships. These gestures would significantly enhance our programme and amplify its impact on the students we serve.
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Reach out to us using the contact form below or via the provided email, and we’ll arrange a quick 30-minute briefing introduction. During this meeting, we’ll explain how our programme operates, answer any questions, and discuss your school’s unique needs and requirements to ensure our services are the perfect fit for your students. We are also happy to come to your school for a face to face conversation, should you prefer that option.
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Our cost model is straightforward, however it is modelled on the length of time needed (minimum of one term commitment), so get in contact and we will talk through the options and how we can best meet your requirements.
Contact Us
Feel free to contact us with any questions. If you would like a presentation on how we can support your school, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Email
info@skilled-innovation.com
Address
Front Street, Esh Winning, DH7 9AD
Phone
+447873897277
Company number: 16172002