The Future of Education-Employer Partnerships: Creating closer ties between colleges, universities & businesses

Confirmed Speakers:

• Bobbie McClelland, Deputy Director, FE & Skills System & Relationship Management, BIS
• Roxanne Stockwell, MD, Higher Education Awards, Pearson
• Carole Carson, Managing Director, Babington Business College
• Kasey Carver, Head of International Relations, University of Bolton
• Elizabeth Grant, Principal Teaching Fellow, UCL Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching
• Denis Carroll, Head of Knowledge Transfer Partnership Unit, University of Westminster (chair)

The Context & Issues:

The Government has announced a series of measures designed to help foster closer links between colleges, universities and employers. By encouraging businesses to play a more active role in course design, loosening controls on colleges and reviewing workforce practice, the Government hopes to drive economic growth. But what kind of opportunity is presented by this policy move and what do the reforms mean for FECs, HEIs and industry?

Key issues to be addressed at this Policy & Practice Briefing will include:

• ‘Freedom & flexibilities’: the detail and impact of looser central Government control
• Business involvement in course design: shaping qualifications to support employment
• The Vocational Education & Training programme: what next for Higher Apprenticeships?
• The role of National Occupation Standards: possible changes and their implications
• Professionalism: what will the review of the FE and skills workforce achieve?
• Educational export opportunities: servicing international demand for higher-level skills
• Case studies of effective and innovative education-employer partnerships

Objectives and Outcomes:

The morning ‘Current and Future Policy’ session will give you the chance to discuss the detail and implications of the Government’s response to the ‘New Challenges, New Chances’ consultation. The debate will help to improve your understanding of support for education-employer partnerships.

The afternoon ‘Policy into Practice’ session will allow you to examine specific examples of current and proposed joint-working between colleges, universities and businesses. Presentations will offer practical tips on improving working practices, for you to take back to your organisation.

Who Should Attend?

Delegates will be drawn from a wide range of stakeholders, including: colleges, universities, employers, central government departments and agencies and charities.