14-19 Workforce

Wednesday 14th October 2009, Charing Cross Guoman - London, 09:00 - 14:00 (half day)

Delivering 14-19 Reform: Building the Workforce of the Future

“Better-educated and skilled young people are vital to the future economic prosperity of this country. Apprenticeships give young people a clear path to a job and the skills they need to succeed in the workplace.”

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, June 2009

Overview

The 2005 14-19 Education and Skills White Paper set out a vision to create an education system that would help each and every individual reach their potential by designing a system around young people, based on high standards, on choice and meeting individuals' needs and aspirations. The White Paper and subsequent announcements, set out the scope of the reforms needed to achieve this.

The new curriculum prioritises core skills — English, maths and ICT. It also focuses on teamwork and other personal skills, preparing young people for study at a higher level or for employment. A new set of qualifications has also been introduced, Diplomas in 17 subject area at three levels by 2013. There will also be opportunities for expanding Apprenticeships. These reforms will collectively encourage more young people to continue in learning on courses that they find engaging and that will help them to achieve more by 19.

Furthermore, the recent publication of the Apprenticeship, Skills, Children and Learning Bill sets out the final stages in the Government’s programme for 14-19 education reform. The Bill supports the Government’s plans for the expansion and strengthening of the Apprenticeship programme set out in World-class Apprenticeships: Unlocking talent, building skills for all (January 2008). The proposals would place the Apprenticeships programme on a statutory footing, and would guarantee that all suitably qualified young people will be entitled to an apprenticeship place. The Bill will also ensure that young people in schools receive proper information, advice and guidance about vocational training opportunities.

Crucial to the success of the reforms is the Government’s commitment to ensure that all young people, whatever their learning route, should be equipped with the skills to fulfil their potential and enjoy ongoing success in learning, work and life.

Agenda

This forum will provide insight into how the Government and 14-19 consortia, schools, colleges, education business partnerships and employers can work together to share fresh ideas and innovative practice for delivering a coherent and wide ranging 14-19 curriculum.

09:00	Registration and Coffee
09:45	Chair's Opening Remarks Roy Blatchford, Founding Director, National Education Trust (CONFIRMED)
09:50	Partnership Working to Deliver the 14-19 Entitlement Developing 14-19 partnerships From here to entitlement: Strategic planning for 2013 Assessing and predicting the needs of individuals and discarding subjects not required Designing a curriculum to accommodate all elements of the 14-19 agenda Employer engagement and workforce development Gareth Griffiths, 14-19 Provision and Attainment Director, Learning and Skills Council (CONFIRMED)
10:10	16-19 Transfer to Local Authorities: Support and Guidance Overcoming the main issues and challenges arising from the transfer of responsibility for commissioning 16-19 education Positives of delivering an integrated service for young people Key features of strategic commissioning Implications of The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill for local authorities Funding transfers – challenges and delivery Building a coordinated and clear dialogue with local employers Tony Halston,14-19 Funding Division, Department for Children, Schools and Families (CONFIRMED)
10:30	Delivering in Partnership the 14-19 Reforms in Cumbria Designing initiatives to drive up participation in education and learning for over-16's Diploma Entitlement Partnerships Ensuring reforms benefit the most vulnerable young people Working in partnership to offer a wide range of courses that appeal to everyone Lessons learnt Best practice Adrienne Carmichael, County Manager Continuous Learning, Cumbria County Council (Beacon Local Authority for 14-19 reforms) (CONFIRMED)
10:50	Integrating Functional Skills Within the 14-19 curriculum OCR pilot for Functional Skills – outcomes to date An introduction to the diploma Diploma development partnerships Raising achievement through reform Paul Steer, Director of Stakeholder Relations, OCR (CONFIRMED)
11.10	Questions and Answers Session 1
11:25	Coffee Break and Networking
11:45	Driving the Apprenticeship Agenda Forward Putting in place a framework for apprenticeships Implementation of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill The benefits of apprenticeships to employers and the workforce David Smale, Director of Learner Services, National Apprenticeship Service(CONFIRMED)
12:05	Engaging Employers in 14-19 Provision Strengthening employer engagement Building strong and sustainable partnerships with employers Developing learner skills through work placements Championing the Diplomat Anthony Mann, Director of Policy and Research, Education and Employers Taskforce, Department for Children, Schools and Families (CONFIRMED)
12:25	Establishing a Sustainable One-stop Shop Service Based on Local Partnerships in Ealing and Hillingdon Creating and sustaining partnerships with schools, colleges and employers Establishing a sustainable one-stop shop service that meets local education and business needs Outlining benefits of work experience and work related curriculum Enterprise education Tracy Bennett, Deputy Manager Hillingdon, Ealing and Hillingdon Education Business Partnership (CONFIRMED)
12:45	Questions and Answers Session 2
13:00	Lunch
14:00	Close

*programme subject to change without notice

Audience

The audience will comprise local authorities, central government departments & bodies, schools, academia, trade unions, private, legal & voluntary sectors including head teachers and principals, ICT providers, school governors, directors of education, children and youth services, leaning and skills councils, diploma managers, heads of 14-19 education, LEA officers, education welfare managers, extended school managers, full service school coordinators, parent teacher associations, elected members for education, school improvement advisors, Connexions, education consultants.