Introduction

At the Skills Builder Partnership, we know that building essential skills is a collective effort. That is why we are always thrilled to celebrate the work of our partners who are driving real social change. We are delighted to announce that Navigate has achieved Impact Level 2 for their programme, joining a global network of organisations committed to high-quality skills development.

Navigate is a digital platform designed to support learners in their personal development and work-related learning. It serves as a comprehensive hub for managing the entire learner journey, allowing colleges to track and evidence everything from work placements and employer engagement to wider enrichment activities. By combining these robust tracking tools with the Universal Framework, we are seeing fantastic examples of how technology and pedagogy can work together to boost employability skills.

To bring this to life, we caught up with two of our mutual partners: Anam Mohsin-Shaikh, Tutorial Manager at Waltham Forest College, and Sabeena Shah, Assistant Principal Quality, Safeguarding & Learner Experience at West London College. As Skills Builder Gold Award holders, both Waltham Forest and West London College are leading examples of best practice. We asked them how they use both platforms to support their learners to succeed

‍

A complementary approach to skills

For colleges, the challenge is often connecting classroom learning with the real world. For Anam at Waltham Forest, the decision to use both platforms came down to how well they complement one another.

“Our college was inspired to use both the Universal Framework and Navigate as they are complementary programmes which are well-rounded, easy to use and put the learner in the centre of the programme,” Anam told us.

This sentiment is echoed by Sabeena at West London College, who chose the tools to provide a clear, structured approach for their learners. “We wanted tools that would help all learners recognise their existing skills, plan their progression, and develop essential skills such as problem-solving, self-management, and strategic thinking,” she explained.

While the Universal Framework provides the structured, measurable approach to the eight essential skills, Navigate acts as the vehicle for professional growth. Anam notes that Navigate ensures students have "clear targets and expectations," while Sabeena highlights that the combination makes "skill development visible and measurable, ensuring our teaching, learning, and assessment prepare learners for real-world success."

‍

Embedding skills in practice

We often say that to build skills effectively, you must keep practising and bring it to life. Both colleges are doing exactly that by embedding the tools across their tutorial programmes and wider curriculum.

At Waltham Forest, tutors use Navigate to monitor engagement and track goals, while employers contribute feedback on student performance. Crucially, the Universal Framework complements this by providing the common language and structure needed to make sense of that feedback.

West London College has taken this a step further with a dedicated careers hub, themed with Skills Builder logos, where learners use iPads linked to Navigate to explore local labour market opportunities. “The future careers quiz on Navigate works alongside the Skills Builder assessment, helping learners map their existing skills against career aspirations,” Sabeena shared.

This intersection is where we see real value added. Whether it is a Waltham Forest student setting a goal to improve their Listening skills for a work placement, or a West London College learner reviewing their progress to guide enrichment opportunities, the evidence-led approach ensures that skill-building is tangible and not abstract.

‍

The impact on learner confidence

The ultimate goal is to ensure that one day, everyone will build the essential skills to succeed. According to Anam, the impact on both staff and students has been "very positive."

Learners at Waltham Forest are becoming far more confident in articulating their strengths, using the platforms to "reflect more deeply on their personal growth." Similarly, Sabeena reports that over 90% of learners at West London College now understand the importance of skills development.

“Lesson observations now include feedback on skills, staff and students are adopting the language, and learners are motivated by recognition of their progress,” the West London team noted. By involving employers in real-life assessment briefs, they have found that feedback now clearly links workplace expectations with a student's ability to demonstrate essential skills.

‍

Advice for other colleges

If you are looking to implement a similar approach, our partners have some clear advice: avoid treating these tools as standalone initiatives.

“Start by embedding both tools within existing tutorial or enrichment structures,” Anam suggests. “Encourage staff to use the Framework flexibly and make explicit links to curriculum learning and work experience.”

Sabeena emphasizes the importance of early adoption. “Introduce both tools from the start, such as during induction, so expectations are clear for staff and students from day one.” She also highlights that regular training on both Navigate and Skills Builder is invaluable in helping learners understand the benefits.

‍

Bridging the gap between education and employment

By combining the structured, evidence-based approach of the Universal Framework with Navigate’s comprehensive digital tracking, we are enabling colleges to bridge the gap between education and employment like never before.

For learners, this means clearer career pathways and the confidence to articulate their value to employers. For staff, it provides the tools to plan effectively and measure the impact of every interaction, from the classroom to the workplace.

Ultimately, this collaboration ensures that essential skills are not just understood in theory, but are actively applied and mastered in the real world.

‍

Find out more

We are proud to work with partners like Navigate who share our mission. You can learn more about how Navigate supports employability skills by visiting their website or viewing their Impact Directory entry.

You too can join the Skills Builder Partnership with over 950 schools, employers and organisations increasing their impact with essential skills.