Education is already shifting—AI is no longer on the sidelines. From personalised learning pathways to instant feedback and automated marking, AI is helping institutions make learning more adaptive, accessible, and efficient. But in the world of technical and vocational education and training (TVET), the pace of change has been slower, and this raises an important question: can the sector afford to wait?
The Risk of Falling Behind
AI adoption is accelerating in mainstream academic settings, but the vocational sector faces unique challenges—and opportunities. TVET is deeply rooted in skills-based learning, workplace readiness, and hands-on experience. It’s not just about what a learner knows, but how they apply it in real-world contexts. While this focus on practical, behavioural competencies is one of TVET’s greatest strengths, it also means that many AI tools designed for academic assessment don’t always translate seamlessly.
That said, failing to adapt to the AI shift risks widening the gap between how learners are taught and assessed, and how modern workplaces operate. Industries from construction to healthcare are already embracing AI-driven tools and technologies—yet we’re still assessing their future employees using highly manual, time-consuming methods. If we want to prepare learners for the environments they’re entering, we need to rethink the way we assess them.
High-Stakes Learning Deserves High-Quality Tools
Electricians, paramedics, early years practitioners, healthcare support workers, engineers—these are just a few of the professions shaped by TVET. The stakes in these roles are high. Getting the right training and assessment in place directly impacts public safety, service quality, and long-term workforce capability.
The question is not whether AI has a role in these areas, but rather: how can we use AI responsibly and effectively to support learners, tutors, and assessors—without compromising quality or compliance?
The good news is that the conversation is already underway. Many awarding organisations, end-point assessment organisations, and training providers are beginning to explore the use of AI, particularly to support knowledge-based assessments and formative feedback.
So, what comes next?
How can we move beyond pilots and early adoption into meaningful, sustainable change?
A recent article on FE News, "AI in Assessments – What’s in Store for 2025," highlights key developments in AI for TVET assessments, including:
- AI-driven evaluation of practical skills through video submissions
- Personalised learning pathways powered by AI
- Automated, detailed feedback and predictive performance analytics
👉 Read the full article on FE News
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