November 13, 2012
by Liam Wheldon
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The Skills Conference 2012

Around 250 tutors, coordinators and managers converged on Nottingham last week for The Skills Conference 2012.  Joined by a knowledgeable and respected line-up of keynote speakers and workshop facilitators, along with a large number of high-profile exhibitors, the conference provided a forum for sharing of ideas and networking with peers.

With a focus on functional skills and the wider skills landscape, The Skills Conference was in it’s 5th year and was the largest event so far.

A Selection of Photos From The Conference 2012

Some feedback from delegates at The Skills Conference 2012

“The workshops were excellent. Very informative. I have a much better overview of FS as a result of attending.”

 “The conference was extremely well organised.  Great choice of key speakers. The workshops were really useful – just what I was hoping to get out of them.”

 “This was a very useful event. I found the workshops on cost effectiveness and on Ofsted very interesting. As usual, the event was well-organised and I look forward to next year!”

 “The conference was informative and relevant to today’s educational environment. The keynote speakers were particularly interesting. Exhibitors were varied and excellent resources were on display. The exhibitors have also been very prompt in their response to queries posed at the conference. Very impressed overall and a useful, informative day. Thank you.”

 “I thoroughly enjoyed the conference it was informative, useful, relaxed but professional. I look forward to next time and hope to bring my director as well.”

 “I have been to these conferences for the past 3 year and this was my most enjoyable and informative conference so far.  Thank you”

 “Well organised at a wonderful venue with easy transport links to far flung places like London. Keynote speakers provided excellent focus on the conference theme with highly current presentations that held my interest from the start.  Great opportunities to find out about new resources and up to the minute technologies for Maths and english added to the  value to my experience and similarly workshop content was  well presented, easy to digest and extremely useful. I have already shared the CIF and its impact on delivering FS to the college’s whole Learning Management Team. All in all a worthwhile day spent away from the office. Thank you.”

 “The organisation of the conference throughout was extremely well managed. The speakers provided a good range of up to date information and guidance and were all eloquent in putting forward their viewpoints. Information requested at the exhibition stands has been followed up on by email so altogether a good day.”

 “The workshops were excellent. Very informative. I have a much better overview of FS as a result of attending.”

 “I enjoyed all aspects of the conference and the also opportunity to meet and share experiences with others working in Functional Skills in different environments.”

 “Thoroughly enjoyed the day!”

Competition winners

WINNER – MIRIAM YAGUD, RUSKIN MILL COLLEGE

A £750 voucher towards the bksb online solution for functional skills development featuring a comprehensive package of assessments and learning resources.

WINNER – PAM XENITELLIS, WESTMINSTER DRUG PROJECT

A free site licence CIA Training’s Functional Skills ICT Levels 1 & 2 resources.  Worth £500, this provides master files in Word format allowing unlimited editing, customising and printing aswell as permission to upload to secure network, intranet or VLE.

WINNER – SARAH BISSON, STATE OF JERSEY PRISON SERVICE

A set of Nelson Thornes’ Progress Maths and English Functional Skills resources – worth in the region of £2000.

June 7, 2012
by Liam Wheldon
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Welcome to The Skills Conference 2012

ABOUT THE SKILLS CONFERENCE

The Skills Conference is a not-to-be-missed national event which brings together tutors, coordinators and managers with a common goal: raising the skills of the nation. Focusing on English, maths and ICT, The Skills Conference 2012 will be vital in networking and sharing best practice in the delivery of functional skills, a key focus for all areas of education from September.

Featuring speeches, presentations and workshops from some of the country’s leading authorities in learning and skills, this high-profile conference provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the current and future skills landscape and how this will impact on your organisation’s and learners’ success. The Skills Conference is now in its 5th year and continues to grow in size and prestige year-on-year.

THE AIMS OF THE CONFERENCE ARE TO PROVIDE:

  • A national perspective on the future of skills provision, including functional skills replacing key skills
  • An insight into the impact and importance of skills on the UK’s future prosperity
  • Examples of outstanding practice
  • Innovative ideas for embedding functional skills into existing curriculum areas
  • Effective delivery strategies for functional skills
  • Up-to-date information on funding, focused on maximising income for skills
  • Information on how to improve inspection results by improving skills development and achievement
  • Effective strategies for raising skill levels of NEET learners
  • Opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing
  • The chance to browse exhibition stands from leading education suppliers

PRICES HELD FOR 5TH YEAR!

Standard delegate rate: £145
bksb Licence holders: £95
City & Guilds clients: £95

Click here to book your place now

December 6, 2011
by Liam Wheldon
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Some feedback from delegates at The Skills Conference 2011

“I had a brilliant day and gained some very valuable information and advice.”

“Excellent organisation throughout, great value for money in these difficult times, content perfectly pitched.”

“Very informative and useful event which updated my knowledge about what is happening in the sector.”

“I really enjoyed meeting new colleagues and sharing our experiences, learning from each other. Input from the Key note speakers has helped confirm for me where I think my College is and what we need to do to continue to move us forward in the right direction.”

“Over the years, I have attended many conferences and normally fall asleep… This conference was totally geared to skills and very enjoyable. I came away with lots of ideas and contacts. Thank you.”

“The whole conference was so professionally run, well done to the team. The day proved to be a worthwhile day out, so many things to take in. The networking was really useful, talking to people with the same problems or direction.”

November 3, 2011
by Liam Wheldon
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The Skills Conference 2011 Hosted by bksb

English, maths and ICT skills are the foundations which underpin learning and achievement in almost every area of education and employment. They are also vital to be able to communicate and operate confidently, effectively and independently in life.

The Skills Conference provides an outstanding opportunity to gain new perspectives and ideas for improving skills outcomes at your organisation and will specifically focus on:

· A national perspective on the future of skills provision, including the outlook for functional skills and key skills government guidelines
· Effective delivery strategies for functional skills
· Up-to-date information on funding, focused on maximising income for skills
· Information on how to improve inspection results by improving skills development and achievement
· The impact and importance of skills for apprenticeships, diplomas and foundation learning pathways
· The new inspection framework
· Innovative ideas for embedding functional skills into existing curriculum areas

Featuring speeches, presentations and workshops from some of the country’s leading authorities and experts in learning and skills, The Skills Conference provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the current and future skills landscape and how this will impact on your organisation’s success.