Skills & Training WG: Skills - Sectoral Approach

Our June Skills & Training Working Group will look at the importance of taking a sectoral and thematic approach to international skills provision. This session will be led by Jonathan Ledger CMgr FCMI, Skills and Professional Bodies Specialist at the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and new Expert Adviser to BEI’s Working Group; and Jane Rexworthy, FInstLM, Chartered FCIPD, Executive Director at People1st International and Chair of the UK Skills Partnership (UKSP).

Technological advancements are reshaping the landscape of work, necessitating shifts in required skills. Consequently, the global community is witnessing profound changes in working methodologies across various sectors, spurred by the imperatives of climate action and sustainability. This has led to a burgeoning demand for tailored Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) solutions worldwide, as nations endeavour to align their skill sets with the swiftly evolving demands of the global labour market.

Skills and Training Providers play a pivotal role in advancing progress towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as countries strive to cultivate the capabilities necessary for securing a sustainable future. Jonathan and Jane will explore a sector-specific approach to skills provisioning, drawing insights from ongoing projects with both domestic and international collaborators. Jonathan will commence by delineating the distinct skill requirements prevalent in various countries, laying the groundwork for an understanding of the genesis of UKSPs new Associate scheme and its objectives. He will underscore the significance of comprehensively grasping the unique needs of individual nations to tailor skill development initiatives effectively for international employers.

Concurrently, the challenges of forging partnerships and fostering effective collaborations loom large. Jane will delve into strategies for cultivating alliances with other organisations, elucidating the attendant benefits, complexities, and optimal methodologies. Drawing from case studies within the healthcare sector, she will illustrate the fruits of collaboration as exemplified by current projects undertaken by People 1st International.

This event forms an integral component of BEI’s Skills & Training Working Group, a collaborative platform uniting employers, skills providers, and standards setters to tackle the pressing issue of skills shortages in the market. It serves as a testament to how UK-based organisations can champion a diverse array of TVET initiatives and other facets of skills and capacity development. The group fosters a culture of shared learning, elevates awareness of the UK’s expertise, and catalysis commercial opportunities.

Agenda:

• Arrival and networking 16.00-16.30
• Panel 16.30-18.00:
• BEI Introduction: 10 min
• Presentation from Jonathan Ledger: 15 min
• Presentation from Jane Rexworthy: 15 min
• Discussion and Q&A: 50 min
• Networking Reception 18.00-19.00