Senior leaders and work-based learning managers from across Wales will gather at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport next month to discover what the future holds for them as they strive to deliver a highly skilled workforce for the benefit of the Welsh economy.
The National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW) has chosen ‘Building a high skilled economy from strong foundations’ as the theme for its annual conference on June 28.
The NTfW represents more than 100 organisations involved in the delivery of learning in the workplace, ranging from small specialist training providers to national and international organisations, as well as local authorities, Further Education Institutions and charities.
“In a year when the Welsh Government has indicated its intentions to build a strong economy by delivering higher levels skills, while at the same time renewing a focus on the ‘foundational economy’, the provision of high quality work-based learning in Wales has never been so important,” said Sarah John, NTfW chair.
“With the work-based learning sector discussing what the future may look like, our annual conference is a great opportunity for all involved to engage in the dialogue around what we can do to support Welsh Government’s ambition of prosperity for all.”
Delegates will be keen to hear what keynote speaker Eluned Morgan, Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning, has to say about the Welsh Government’s future plans.
She will be joined at the rostrum by Huw Morris, the Welsh Government’s director of skills, higher education and lifelong learning, who will speak about delivering employability and skills that ensure prosperity for all.
Professor Karel Williams, from the University of Manchester, will address delegates on the topic of building strong foundations for economic growth, while employer representatives will provide their perspective of apprenticeships in Wales.
A series of workshops will also be held throughout the day to explore topics of particular relevance to the work-based leaning sector.
Progress with the Welsh Government’s Apprenticeships Skills Policy Plan, understanding the Employability Action Plan, the role of Regional Skills Partnerships within the context of City Regions and Regional Growth Bids, development of Degree Apprenticeships and post-compulsory education and training in Wales and positive action’ to widen access to the Apprenticeships Programme will be covered by workshops.
Other topics include a review of the registration of work-based learning practitioners with the Education Workforce Council (EWC) 12 months on, ‘Careers Wales – moving beyond the vision’ and key initial findings of Estyn’s new inspection arrangements.
Workshop presenters include Regional Skills Partnerships managers Iwan Thomas, Jane Lewis and Karen Higgins, Professor Chantal Davies, Professor of Law, Equality and Diversity at the University of Chester, Hayden Llewellyn, chief executive of the EWC, Mandy Ifans, Careers Wales’ head of employment advice, Dr Neil Surman, the Welsh Government’s deputy director of higher education, Estyn’s HM Inspector Mark Evans, Angela West, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales’ employability and skills manager, Cassy Taylor, Qualifications Wales’ associate director of vocational qualifications and Edwyn Williams, the Welsh Government’s head of employability engagement.
Conference tickets may be booked online at https://www.ntfw.org/ntfw-conference/booking-form-programme/ with a range of discounts available for bookings made before May 31.
