VTQ Strategy Trustee | Shape Vocational Education Growth in Manchester

Contract type: Trustee appointment, three-year term with option of further terms subject to Board needs.

Location: Flexible, with meetings mainly in London and occasionally at AQA offices in Manchester, Milton Keynes and Guildford.

Salary: Pro bono. Reasonable, pre-agreed domestic travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Working Arrangements: Office based / in-person meetings (five Board meetings and up to five Sub-Committee meetings per year).

Help shape the future of vocational and technical qualifications at AQA. This is an opportunity to join the AQA Board of Trustees as a vocational and technical qualifications (VTQ) leader, helping strengthen Board capability as AQA expands across vocational education and training. You'll support an education charity focused on helping learners of all abilities show what they can do.

Purpose of the role

AQA awards qualifications, delivers training and reinvests income into its charitable work. Through the wider AQA Group, it has built a significant presence in vocational education and training. TQUK, the Group's vocational awarding organisation, is ranked sixth by the number of certificates issued for regulated vocational qualifications, while Realise Training is one of the largest providers of apprenticeships and adult education programmes in England.

Over the next four years, AQA aims to double revenue from vocational and technical qualifications and training and establish itself among the top three organisations in this market. As a Trustee, you'll bring independent judgement, sector expertise and governance insight to help guide this growth responsibly, ensuring AQA continues to deliver public benefit while expanding its impact across vocational education and skills.

In this role, you'll be responsible for:

• Contributing to the governance and strategic direction of AQA.
• Bringing VTQ expertise to Board discussions on vocational education, training, assessment and awarding.
• Using independent judgement on strategy, risk, performance, and public benefit.
• Helping ensure AQA applies its resources effectively and remains financially sustainable.
• Acting as an advocate for AQA's purpose when appropriate.
• Joining at least one sub-committee as Chair or committee member, subject to Board needs.
• Committing to five Board meetings and up to five sub-committee meetings each year.

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

You'll bring credibility within the vocational and technical qualifications sector, alongside a commitment to public benefit and a passion for helping Boards make informed decisions that support learners, quality and sustainable growth. You'll have demonstrable strategic leadership experience within vocational and technical qualifications, vocational education or skills training, together with a deep understanding of qualification delivery, awarding and assessment, including 16 to 19 provision, apprenticeships and the wider qualifications landscape. You'll also bring practical insight gained through further education, an awarding organisation, training provider or another relevant skills-sector organisation.

Above all, you'll demonstrate independent judgement, fairness, discretion and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Previous non-executive, Board or charity governance experience would be beneficial but is not essential, and induction support will be provided where appropriate.

What's in it for you?

This pro bono role gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to education, skills and opportunity across the UK. At a significant point in AQA's growth in vocational and technical qualifications, you'll help shape strategic decisions that support learners, teachers, trainers and education providers. You'll bring your sector expertise to a Board environment with a clear public benefit purpose, working alongside Trustees and executive leaders with a broad range of skills, experiences and perspectives. You'll also have the opportunity to broaden your governance experience while contributing to the future direction of vocational education and training, with induction support available where appropriate.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone - regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background - is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.