Editorial Policy
We want every guide on TheSkillVault to be one you can trust and actually use. This page sets out how we pick topics, how articles are written and checked, and what we do when we get something wrong.
Who we write for
Students, job seekers, people changing careers, and anyone trying to learn something new. Our topics come from the questions readers ask most, from suggestions sent to us, and from changes in education and work that people should know about, such as new exam rules or shifts in how companies hire.
Our standards
- Useful first. We write to help, not to fill a page. If a question can be answered in a sentence, we answer it early on.
- Plain language. We avoid jargon. When a technical term can't be avoided, we explain it.
- Accuracy. Facts and figures are checked against reliable sources: official bodies, universities, published research and established publications. We list the main sources at the end of an article so you can check them too.
- Respect. Our readers are of every age, background, gender, ability and stage of life, and we choose our words with that in mind.
- Honesty about grey areas. When experts disagree, or the right answer depends on your situation, we say so instead of pretending there's a single answer.
How an article comes together
Each guide starts with the reader's question and a plan for what it needs to cover. Once drafted, it's checked by an editor for facts, sources, structure and tone before it goes live. The name on an article belongs to the person responsible for it.
How we use AI
We use AI tools in parts of our work, for example to help research a topic, plan an article or produce a first draft. AI doesn't get the final say. Every piece is reviewed by our editorial team, who check the facts against sources, correct mistakes and rewrite where needed before it's published.
Many of the illustrations on the site are also made with AI image tools. They're there to illustrate a topic. We don't use them to pass off invented scenes as real photographs of people or events. Our Image Usage Policy has more on this.
Keeping guides current
Information about careers and education goes out of date quickly. We revisit articles when rules, figures or deadlines change and when readers tell us something has moved on. The date at the top of an article shows when it was last updated.
Corrections
We do make mistakes. When we find one, or a reader points it out, we fix it as soon as we can. Small fixes like a typo or a broken link are made without a note. If a correction changes the meaning of an article, we update it and say what changed.
If you spot an error, please let us know through our Contact Us page. Include the article's link and, if you can, a source that shows the correct information.
Independence
Our editorial work is kept separate from advertising. Advertisers can't buy coverage or influence what we say, and our writers don't accept gifts or payment in exchange for writing about something. See our Advertising Policy for the details.
General information, not personal advice
Our guides are written for a general audience. They can't replace advice from a careers counsellor, lawyer, financial adviser or doctor who knows your situation.