Staff Development Archives - Aim Higher Training

Why CPD for Assessors and IQAs Is No Longer Optional: Thriving in the New End-Point Assessment Landscape

Discover why continuing professional development (CPD) for assessors and IQAs is now essential. Learn how to strengthen gateway decisions, improve EPA readiness, and maintain compliance with confidence. The apprenticeship system has changed, fundamentally, irreversibly, and faster than many organisations anticipated. The shift away from frameworks, the strengthening of employer-led standards, and widespread changes to end-point […]

What EPAOs Will Expect from Assessors and IQAs in 2026

If you’re an assessor or IQA working in apprenticeships right now, you already know the landscape has changed. But here’s the question that keeps many of us awake at night: Would your day-to-day practice genuinely stand up to EPAO scrutiny in 2026? It’s not that you’re not working hard; we know you are. It’s that […]

Workplace Burnout, the Employment Rights Bill, and the Opportunity to Reimagine Work

Across the UK, workplace burnout continues to rise at an alarming rate. Research shows that 79% of employees have experienced burnout, while 35% describe their stress levels as high or extreme. Globally, around two-thirds of workers now report feeling burned out, making it one of the most serious organisational risks of the modern workplace. But […]

Unfair Dismissal in the Employment Rights Bill: What the New Six-Month Threshold Really Means for Employers

When the Employment Rights Bill was first announced, many employers braced themselves for a dramatic shift: a world where every employee—on their first day—would have full unfair dismissal protection. Now, after months of political negotiation, compromise, and intense public debate, the government has confirmed a different path. Day one protection from ordinary unfair dismissal will […]

Invest in Yourself This Black Friday: Why Skills Are the Best Deal of 2025

Invest in Yourself This Black Friday: Why Skills Are the Best Deal of 2025 As Black Friday approaches, the spotlight often falls on gadgets, tech, and fleeting deals, but the smartest investment you can make this year isn’t something you’ll find in a shopping cart. It’s you. From Sunday 23 November to Sunday 30 November […]

What To Do When Your Manager Is Pushing You Out

It’s unpleasant, but your manager trying to push you out is a surprisingly common occurrence. It’s something that affects quite a large number of employees, partly because of employee targets. So, what should you do if you notice this happening to you? What are the best tactics? Recognise The Signs You’ll want to start by […]

Day-One Employment Rights: What Employers Need to Change Now

A New Era of Employee Protections The UK’s Employment Rights Bill is shaking things up in a big way. We’re talking about one of the most significant shifts in workplace law in decades. From sick pay eligibility to unfair dismissal protections, employees will soon gain several key rights from their very first day at work […]

The Employment Rights Bill Explained: What UK Workers and Employers Need to Know

A New Era for Workers’ Rights in the UK The UK government’s Employment Rights Bill is set to bring the most significant overhaul of employment law in decades. Designed to create fairer, more flexible, and more secure workplaces, the Bill aims to strengthen protections for employees while giving employers clearer responsibilities around contracts, flexibility, and […]

A Historic Shift in UK Employment Rights

The UK is on the cusp of the most significant upgrade in employment rights in a generation. The Employment Rights Bill, part of the government’s wider Plan to Make Work Pay, promises to raise living standards, strengthen job security, and modernise workplace protections. With millions of workers trapped in insecure or low-paid roles, the Bill […]

The Hidden Job Market: Why Most Roles Are Never Posted Online (and How to Access Them)

Most job seekers focus their efforts on job boards, endlessly scrolling and submitting applications. Yet in the UK, research shows that 70–80% of roles are never advertised publicly. These “hidden jobs” are filled through referrals, internal promotions, and networking, leaving countless opportunities out of reach for those relying solely on job postings. For individuals and […]