First 5 learners in the world receive new Essential Work Skills award

Oct 9 / Craig Hendleman

Update, September 2026:
The Level 3 Award in Essential Work Skills is now endorsed by TQUK rather than accredited by NCFE.




In a landmark event for the National Talent Academy, Danny Lye, the Headteacher of Bow School in East London handed out certificates to the first five learners in the world to receive the new NCFE-accredited Level 3 Award in Essential Work Skills. This momentous occasion marks a significant step forward in our mission to equip young people with the skills and qualifications that employers value most.
Danny Lye was thrilled with the results of the learners’ efforts. "When I first heard about the National Talent Academy, I knew this was something we needed to get involved with. The support, and programmes, offered by the team and National Talent Academy align perfectly with our vision to develop world ready and career ready students. Without a doubt, our investment in the programme has been well worth it. It has been fantastic to see the growing confidence, skills and raised aspirations of those students who have taken part. Hearing the young people talk about their heroes and those who inspire them, as part, of the programme was pretty special too. I am confident that involvement in the programme boosts our students’ chances of future success, that is why we have committed, again, to working in partnership with the National Talent Academy." 

David Jaffa expressed his delight at the event, stating “We are immensely proud that Bow School is the first among our partners to receive this valued award. Many people say you cannot accredit soft skills, certainly not at Level 3 but we had a vision for how to do that and worked with our accreditation partner NCFE to enable it. It’s wonderful to see learners start to reap the benefit”.

The NCFE Accredited Level 3 Award in Essential Work Skills is designed to ensure that learners around the world are not just academically prepared but also practically ready for the world of work. By integrating this qualification into their curriculum, schools like Bow School are providing their learners with a valuable opportunity to gain a competitive edge in the job market.

If you would like to give your learners the edge in their careers like those at Bow School, get in touch with our sales team today here