The research for this report is the second stage of the WSQ Diploma in Adult and Continuing Education: Curriculum and quality courseware designers project (The DACE project). The two stages investigated issues related to the effectiveness of DACE graduates in designing, implementing and facilitating quality WSQ curricula, and also traced their professional development journey before, during and after participation in the DACE programme. The aim of this two-pronged approach was to assess the readiness of DACE learners for their roles post-2015 as mandated Approved Training Organisation (ATO) curriculum designers, which requires providers to employ at least one DACE graduate to manage the development and implementation of Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ)-related programmes.