OCN NI is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted for Awarding Organisation of the Year at the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) Qualifications and Assessment Excellence Awards 2025. The FAB Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of UK awarding and assessment organisations to education and skills over the past year. This year’s ceremony is particularly significant as it marks its 10th anniversary of the FAB awards. The prestigious award ceremony is sponsored by Skilltech Solutions and celebrates a sector that issued millions of certifications in 2024/2025.
The announcement has sparked excitement across the OCN NI community. OCN NI CEO, Martin Flynn, commented that: “We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted for Awarding Organisation of the Year at the FAB Qualifications & Assessment Awards 2025. As the largest vocational qualifications awarding body in Northern Ireland, we take great pride in developing and awarding qualifications that improve the education, skills, and well-being of our learners.
This recognition comes at a very special time as we celebrate our 30th anniversary year. Each year, OCN NI continues to grow and award qualifications that enable thousands of learners to progress in their education, secure meaningful employment and contribute positively to their communities. To be acknowledged at such a prestigious event, alongside other leading UK awarding organisations in the sector, is a significant milestone for us. I would like to thank the entire OCN staff team, our centres and the thousands of learners who choose to study our qualifications every year to create a learning environment that is both inclusive and supportive.”
This recognition shines a spotlight on the collective efforts of the entire OCN community. From the commitment of educators and lecturers to the innovation of our qualification developers. Together, we are building a learning ecosystem that engages, enriches, and equips learners for life. Beyond creating and awarding qualifications, we work closely with our centres, learners, and EQAs to ensure we understand and meet the diverse needs of every individual learner.
FAB CEO, Rob Nitsch said: “This year we’ve received a record number of entries, but even more encouragingly, entries of huge quality. This reflects the incredible talent, commitment, innovation and togetherness that characterises our industry. The Awards continue to be a tribute to the remarkable efforts of individuals and teams who are shaping the future of qualifications through high standards, inclusive practice, forward-thinking approaches and adaptability. These are all qualities that are needed in abundance as we respond to changing requirements - earning a place as a finalist is a significant achievement in itself, and I warmly congratulate all those shortlisted. I wish you the very best of luck in the final judging.”
OCN NI now progresses to the final round of judging for Awarding Organisation of the Year. The winners will be announced at the FAB Conference, Exhibition and Awards, which will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Milton Keynes at The Stadium MK, on Thursday 27th and Friday 28th November 2025. Congratulations and good luck to all those nominated and attending the awards. We look forward to celebrating excellence across the sector.
