Seeking swift solutions: reflections from my first ever challenge event

Colleges and innovators recently came together to tackle challenges in the health and care sector through rapid, collaborative problem‑solving. The Newcastle-based event encouraged fresh thinking and quick learning across all involved. Here, Gray Mytton, Assessment Innovation Manager at NCFE, reflects on the value of this approach. 

I recently took part in my first innovation challenge event, hosted by Newcastle College in partnership with NCFE, the Innovation Super Network, and several local North East colleges. The day brought together educators and technology specialists to explore current issues within the health and care sector and to work quickly and collaboratively towards potential solutions. 

For me, it was a chance to see this innovation method of the challenge event in practice and understand how it could support our work here at NCFE as an educational charity and leader in vocational and technical learning. 

What is a challenge event? 

Challenge events are structured, time‑bound workshops designed to bring people together to solve a shared problem. They give participants a common focus and an open environment to collaborate, experiment, and think differently. 

A typical challenge event involves the following activities: 

• identifying and exploring a real issue in the sector 
• generating ideas that could address it 
• developing early‑stage solutions together 
• sharing, refining and learning from each other’s thinking. 

This approach helps organisations to collaborate, share expertise, and test emerging ideas without heavy investment. It supports a “fail fast” mentality by showing rapidly what might work, what needs refining, and what isn’t viable.  

In sectors like health and care – where needs evolve quickly and solutions often rely on collaboration – challenge events provide a valuable space to build shared understanding and accelerate progress. 

Identifying issues and seeking swift solutions 

At NCFE, we’re committed to shaping smarter learning and seeking out ways that innovation can continue to push the sector forward. I wanted to understand how challenge events could support us in this ambition, and whether this approach could bring value to our colleagues and partners. So – what did I learn on the day? 

The most notable thing was the speed at which we moved from identifying issues to creating potential solutions. In just half a day, we worked through ideas that some organisations could have spent weeks or months discussing. While any solution still needs to be built, tested and evaluated, this method offers a strong starting point. 

Another key insight for me was the importance of solution owners. These are the people who take ideas back into their organisations and champion them. They keep the momentum going, build connections, and help turn ideas into meaningful action. With “collaboration not competition” emerging as a clear theme of the day, the role of solution owners felt just as important as any technology on display. 

Pictured: An image from the challenge event day, hosted by Newcastle College in partnership with NCFE

The event also used an “open space” methodology, meaning participants chose which conversations to join and could move between groups freely. This created a sense of autonomy, trust and rich discussion as people flowed from one discussion to the next. 

Challenge event strengths and weaknesses 

My takeaway highlight of the day and challenge event format was the level of engagement from everyone in the room. Colleges, innovators and technology specialists contributed willingly and openly, and the space felt energetic and solution‑led. People weren’t just observing – they were building ideas together. 

An area for improvement would be a stronger industry involvement. Their insight would have added another layer of depth to the discussions, and greater participation from employers will be important in future events. Their perspective is essential, particularly when solutions are ultimately intended to support their workforce and the learners moving into their sectors. 

What came out of the day? 

Several new networks formed naturally throughout the event, which was one of the most valuable outcomes. These networks emerged around shared challenges and reflected a collective understanding that progress in education and skills relies on partnership.  

Hearing a senior college leader talk about “collaboration not competition” reinforced that educators are united by a commitment to improving outcomes for learners. Our best chance at pushing the health and care sector forward is through deep and continuous partnerships. 

Colleagues also took clear ownership of the solutions they helped to shape. Being part of the process from the start created a sense of responsibility and momentum, whether that involved maintaining new connections, taking on small actions or championing ideas internally.  

Our NCFE colleagues left with new ways of thinking and practical ideas for how we can better support our customers and partners. 

What’s next? 

Following the challenge event, I’ll be exploring how this methodology can be used across NCFE to help us move more quickly on innovation. Whether used with colleagues or with wider partners, this approach can support us to test ideas, build stronger relationships and reinforce our role as an expert organisation working collaboratively to advance learning. 

The event was energising, insightful and filled with possibility. I’m excited to see where this way of working can take us next. 

You can discover more about our active investments and partnerships here, or read more about the impact of our Assessment Innovation Fund here.