Andrew Walker is the Managing Director of Training Qualifications UK (TQUK), one of the UK’s fastest-growing and most innovative awarding and End-Point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs). With a career dedicated to shaping accessible, responsive vocational education systems, Andrew has led TQUK’s transformation into a forward-thinking, digital-first organisation that puts learner experience, training providers and employer needs at its core.
A pioneer in the reform of Functional Skills qualifications in the UK, TQUK has been instrumental in developing flexible, on-demand assessment solutions for English and Maths—designed specifically to meet the needs of working professionals balancing training with real-world commitments. Under Andrew Walker leadership, TQUK launched an advanced remote Functional Skills platforms, offering fully proctored exams, rapid results, and accessible interfaces for diverse learners, with many firsts in industry as per Service Level agreements and AI led innovations.
In his EATP session, Breaking Barriers: Creating Flexible Assessment for Working Professionals in Vocational Education, Andrew will explore how TQUK’s Functional Skills model reimagines vocational assessment to be more accessible, equitable, inclusive, efficient, and internationally adaptable. Drawing from the UK experience, he will reflect on lessons learned, digital innovation, and the potential for pan-European alignment in the way vocational qualifications are assessed and delivered.
Andrew is a respected voice in UK policy and awarding organisation community, regularly contributing to sector thought leadership on the future of apprenticeships, learner-focussed assessment models, and technology-driven quality assurance. His perspective combines strategic insight with hands-on implementation experience, offering valuable takeaways for educators, policymakers, and awarding /certification bodies across Europe navigating the evolution of high stake assessment for working adults.