December marks the end of a busy and significant year for housing, construction and public services. Organisations across the sector are continuing to adapt to new expectations, rising pressures and the growing importance of capability. Throughout this, our focus has remained on supporting colleagues and learners with training, resources and practical insight that help people feel confident in their roles.
Here is what is inside this month’s update:
- Industry Day at The Guinness Partnership
- Thought leadership from Sara Roberts: understanding the direction of travel
- Looking ahead to 2026
- A note for the Christmas period
- Christmas opening hours
Industry Day at The Guinness Partnership
This month the team at Kingdom Academy delivered our first ever Industry Day with The Guinness Partnership, building on a long standing relationship that has already supported more than 50 apprentices since 2019.
Hosted at Guinness’ offices in Oldham, the day brought colleagues from both organisations together for a programme of workshops, presentations and insight sessions designed to strengthen shared understanding and deepen role knowledge.
The morning began with an engaging workshop on the history of The Guinness Partnership, followed by a session exploring the organisation’s culture and behaviours. In the afternoon, our delivery team took part in practical workshops led by different business areas, offering first hand insight into operational roles and the expectations of teams across the organisation. These activities will directly enhance how we design and deliver apprenticeship learning, ensuring it remains grounded in real workplace practice.
Matt Hoyle, Head of Operations and Funding at Kingdom Academy, reflected on the day’s purpose: bringing together two organisations with a shared commitment to the social housing sector and to the positive impact that high quality training can have. The team also had the opportunity to meet current and former apprentices and hear directly about their experiences and development journeys.
We are proud to continue our partnership with Guinness, supporting colleagues through Level 3 and Level 4 Housing Apprenticeships and the Management Fundamentals programme. Our thanks go to The Guinness Partnership for hosting the event and for their ongoing collaboration.
Thought Leadership: A Sector Evolving and the Capability it Needs Next
This month our CSO, Sara Roberts, has shared two pieces of thought leadership that look at the changing landscape for workforce development across housing, construction and public services. Read together, they offer a clear picture of a system that is becoming more flexible, more transparent and more focused on professional capability.
The TI and A Consultation and the rising importance of competence
Sara’s analysis of the proposed updates to the TI and A Standard highlights the increasing emphasis on communication quality, resident involvement and day to day professionalism. These expectations sit directly alongside the forthcoming Competence and Conduct Standard and reinforce the need for confident, well supported frontline practice.
Apprenticeship Reform: flexibility, opportunity and the support employers will need
Her latest article on the Apprenticeship Reforms explores the shift towards more flexible skills routes through the Growth and Skills Levy. Fully funded apprenticeships for SMEs and shorter, skills focused training units signal an intention to widen access and accelerate development. But, as Sara notes, flexibility alone does not build capability. Employers still face capacity constraints, operational pressure and the practical challenge of embedding development in real job roles.
The reforms offer real potential for faster progression, targeted specialist learning and clearer pathways. Their impact, however, depends on how confidently employers can navigate the changes and how well the system supports them to do so.
A combined message for employers and leaders
Together, the articles point towards the same direction of travel: a sector where competence, clarity and consistent development are becoming essential rather than optional.
If you are exploring what these changes mean for your teams or planning your development pathways for 2026, our team is here to support that conversation.
Looking Ahead to 2026: Growth, Opportunity and a Sector Ready to Evolve
There is genuine momentum building as we head into 2026. Organisations are placing greater focus on capability, clarity and the wellbeing of their teams, and the evolving regulatory and skills landscape is creating new opportunities for thoughtful workforce development.
In early 2026 we will be:
- Launching online booking for qualifications to make access simpler, faster and more flexible for learners and employers
- Releasing our Apprenticeship Week Toolkit designed to help organisations highlight the impact of apprenticeships and celebrate their teams
- Strengthening the Mental Health Toolkit with new resources focused on resilience, psychological safety and reflective practice
- Providing tailored guidance for employers preparing for the Competence and Conduct Standard, supported by our exclusive Employer Toolkit
- Introducing additional short courses dedicated to the communication and decision making skills that underpin confident frontline practice
It is shaping up to be a year where development becomes a shared priority across the sector. Our role is to make that journey clearer, more accessible and grounded in the everyday realities of the people delivering services.
If you are planning your organisational development for the year ahead or want to explore training routes that fit your goals, our team is here to help.
A Note for the Christmas Period
As we move into the Christmas season, we want to wish everyone a peaceful and enjoyable festive break if you are celebrating this December. We also recognise that this time of year is not easy for everyone. Pressures can rise, routines shift and some colleagues and learners may find things more difficult than usual. If that is the case for you or someone in your organisation, please know that support remains in place.
Our safeguarding line will remain open throughout the break for any urgent concerns. Anything non urgent will be picked up as soon as the office reopens, and we encourage you to get in touch before the holiday if there is something you would like us to be aware of.
Christmas Opening Hours
Kingdom Academy will be closed Thursday 25 and Friday 26 December and 1 January 2026.
Our Construction Training Centre in Cumbernauld is closed from Tuesday 23rd December 5pm and reopens Monday 5th January 2026.
During this period, all calls will be diverted and responded to when the office reopens. If there is anything you need us to know ahead of the break, please contact the team. Our safeguarding line remains open throughout for urgent matters.
Wishing You a Safe and Restful End to the Year
Thank you to all our partners, learners and colleagues for your support throughout 2025. It has been a year of learning, development and positive change, and we look forward to continuing this work with you in 2026.
From everyone at Kingdom Academy, we wish you a restful break and a hopeful start to the new year.