With 8.7 million adults economically inactive, the UK faces an employability challenge that requires responsive, modular and inclusive solutions. Launching incrementally over the next four months, NOCN Group’s redefined Life Skills offer meets this challenge, co-created with those delivering change on the ground. Whether you’re a centre, local authority, or employer, NOCN has created the tools, recognition and resources to help learners move forward.

As devolution and the government’s recent Post-16 Education & Skills White Paper also play a part in reshaping the skills landscape, NOCN Group is leading the way in increasing employability. By combining innovation, inclusion, and co-design, we are ensuring our products work for real people in real contexts.

Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development: Rebuilt for Today’s World

Our refreshed Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development (SETPD) suite is being reimagined from the ground up with centres, employers, tutors and learners in mind.

Over the next four months, we plan to roll out several updates as part of this suite.

• This will begin with the launch of a bespoke Level 1 Employability suite, which includes a mix of updated and new units, along with an updated Level 1 Qualification Specification. These qualifications are now available.
• By the end of November, we will introduce updated and new Digital units at Entry 3 and Level 1 (including a new Entry 3 Qual Spec and updated Level 1 Spec), as well as updated and new Animal Care units at both levels.
• By January 2026, we will release a bespoke Entry Level 3 Employability suite, and by February, we will provide updated Group A (Personal Development) units and resources for the bespoke Level 1 Employability suite.

Covering Entry Level to Level 3, each qualification has been created to reflect local labour market priorities, modern workplace skills and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) principles.

Built around flexibility, progression and accessibility, SETPD can be delivered in the classroom, community or workplace, supporting delivery against Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs), devolved funding priorities, and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) employment programmes.

Units have been modernised to include:

• Digital confidence and communication
• Sustainability and wellbeing
• Teamwork, resilience and self-management
• AI and future workplace awareness.

To make delivery easier, NOCN Group is introducing a Train the Trainer bundle and new digital tutor packs that reduce planning burden and improve consistency of delivery.

MicroLens: Bite-Sized Learning That Builds Real Skills

Complementing the SETPD refresh, our MicroLens modules introduce short, high-impact digital modules that can be completed in 10–15 minutes of immersive learning. These microlearning modules are built around storytelling, reflection, and practical action.

MicroLens bridges the gap between informal learning and qualification routes. It can be used flexibly to:

• Build confidence in learners to support progression
• Reinforce employability units and Bootcamp learning
• Support Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs)
• Offer stackable, non-regulated options for employers and local authorities.

These microlearning modules support learners to build, evidence, and stack their skills, a direct step toward the Lifelong Learning Entitlement vision.

A Framework for Employability

This is not a single suite, but a connected framework for employability.

NOCN now offers:

• SETPD qualifications (Entry Level to Level 3)
• Short Courses and “First Steps to Career Success” eLearning
• Bootcamps and SWAP-linked provision
• MicroLens digital learning modules

We will also be developing AI-informed learning design and stackable credentials in 2026.

Together, these skills solutions create pathways that adapt to public funding, regional and employer need, while giving learners the ability to progress from confidence-building to career-readiness.

The Future of Learning for Work

As changes to the government’s Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) and Apprenticeship provisions reshape the skills landscape, NOCN is ready, building flexible, stackable pathways where every skill counts.

This is employability for the real world: accessible, inclusive, and co-produced from the ground up.

Over the coming months we will be sharing updates as we continue to launch elements of our Life Skills suite.