EAL latest news and updates – January 2026

Welcome to this month’s update from EAL, with news on upcoming events, awards nominations, and new developments in our qualifications offering.

News & updates

Event Highlights: West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services 

On 14 January 2026, EAL and Matrix Technologies welcomed guests to West Yorkshire Manufacturing Services for an engaging industry event focused on the future of engineering and manufacturing education. 

Attendees received key updates on sector reforms, apprenticeships, and newly launched EAL qualifications, alongside hands-on demonstrations of Matrix Technologies’ educational equipment. The event highlighted how the two organisations are working together to support learners, providers, and employers through innovative, practical teaching solutions.

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EAL's Curriculum Planning Guide 2026-2027 is live

We’re pleased to announce that the EAL Curriculum Planning Guide 2026–2027 is now available for our centres. This updated resource offers comprehensive support to help you plan effective curriculum delivery across the evolving post-16 skills and vocational landscape, including key information on qualifications, T Levels, apprenticeships, adult funding-supported options and more.

Find out more and download now

Enginuity Skills Awards 2026: Nominate today

We’re excited to share that the deadline for nominations for the Enginuity Skills Awards 2026 has been extended to 8 February 2026. EAL is proud to continue our partnership with one of the sector’s biggest celebrations of the year as category partner for the Training Provider Skills Champion of the Year. Don’t miss your chance to nominate and shine a spotlight on the providers going the extra mile to help learners succeed.

Nominate now

Develop your welding skills and become job-ready with EAL qualifications

The new EAL Level 2 Welding Awards in MIG/MAG (QAN: 610/6477/4) and TIG Welding (QAN: 610/6476/2) are practical, industry-focused qualifications designed to build real-world welding skills and support progression into employment, apprenticeships, or higher-level welding training.

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Apprenticeship Assessment Reforms Update 

As part of the apprenticeship assessment reforms, Skills England has published a list of apprenticeship standards that will be reviewed in the first wave of activity. 

Skills England has confirmed that work on the assessment plans for these standards will begin before 31 January. Development work will then continue, although there are currently no fixed completion dates. This is because each assessment plan will require a different level of review and development, and timescales will therefore vary by standard.

Discover more and view the full list

Events

Upcoming webinars: EAL Building Services Engineering Drop-in Sessions 

Do you have any questions on a Building Services Engineering (BSE)-related topic? 

Join our Building Services Engineering experts for their monthly drop-in sessions. 

Join us in February Join us in March

Upcoming event: EAL Engineering Industry Network event 

Are you registered onto the EAL Engineering Industry Network (EEIN)? 

Sign up today and join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, 24 February 2026 at Amazon Fulfilment Centre (DE75 2BB) or online. 

Sign up to the EEIN

Upcoming webinar: Navigating the 2026 EAS Changes: Your pathway to the right qualifications (EAL and NICEIC) Webinar 

Join EAL and NICEIC for an informative session on the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) changes being implemented from 1 October 2026. 

• Date: Tuesday, 17 February 2026
• Time: 12-1pm 

Save your spot