Great to be representing @SkillsFed at #ATC2025. Looking forward to contributing to workshop discussions on the role of employers in apprenticeships and training, and to speaking to delegates on how #ACE360 can help manage your EPA processes. Drop by our stand in the exhibition hall.

Great meeting yesterday discussing #skills policy, #industrialstrategy, #devolution & the skills needs of #sectors. Brilliant opportunity to share thoughts on Skills England, Growth & Skills Levy, support for young people entering the labour market, & how we develop the skills needed for growth.

Great to be at the launch of the @ufitrust.bsky.social strategy yesterday. Fabulous ambition and approach to unlocking the full potential of technology to help more adults learn. ufi.co.uk

Skills issues pose a huge challenge for industry, so I'm pleased to be joining @makeukcampaigns.bsky.social #IndustrialStrategySkills Commission, where experts from industry & education will help shape Government's skills programme to support delivery of the #IndustrialStrategy. www.makeuk.org

Thanks to @aoc-info.bsky.social for a fabulous conference dinner. Amazing food, wine and entertainment, courtesy of our great FE college students. And an inspirational set of award winners, showcasing the transformational impact of FE.

Delighted to be speaking at the CDI National Conference 2024 on 26-27 November at The Studio, Birmingham. For the latest programme and to book your place, visit: ow.ly/irxK50TAbzq. Drop me a line if you want to catch up while you're there. #CDIConf2024

Delighted to have been asked to join the judging panel for the #Apprenticeship Guide Awards 2025! Details on how to enter can be found here lnkd.in/e2N7cW2w.
Deadline 20 Dec - get nominating!

Really enjoyable and stimulating Multiverse / Demos roundtable on growth and skills levy. Particularly impressed with the energy and enthusiasm of MPs Chi Onwurah and Lola McEvoy to use skills investment to stimulate economic growth in places and their key sectors. #Lab24

Kicking off the day at #Lab24 exploring why #innovation and #skills are vital to delivering Labour’s missions with WM Mayor Richard Parker and Skills Minister Jacqui Smith.

Delighted to be on the front row at Conference to hear Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, set out his commitment to tackling youth unemployment across the region and improve opportunities for young people. It will take all of us to work together. Get in touch if you can help. #Lab24

As Richard Parker said “evidence is everything”. Very grateful to have been able to use the research from Youth Futures Foundation to help us understand what works in tackling youth unemployment.

Great to join YFF and WM Mayor Richard Parker at the Skills Hub to discuss place based approaches to tackling youth unemployment.

En route to #Labour Party Conference. At 1pm we’ll be joining Youth Futures Foundation to discuss place-based approaches to boosting skills & youth unemployment. The Mayors’ ambitious Youth Plan seeks to give young people across our region the best possible start in working life. Come find out more

The urgent need to focus on the life chances of our young people, is only reinforced by the findings of this years’ Youth Voice Census www.youthemployment.org.uk/youth-voice-...

Impressive panel at #CFP24 discussing how trailblazing are the trailblazers. The key shift for me has been in the changed conversation between WMCA and central government.

Delighted to be at #CFP24 to discuss how we work together to shape a better West Midlands. First up is Mayor Richard Parker, outlining his vision for the region. This afternoon, I’ll be chairing a session on how we attract and retain talent.

Lovely flowers and lunch with my team today. Will miss them when I leave at the end of the month. If youre interested in working with brilliant people on employment and skills devolution, find out more here: careers.wmca.org.uk/jobs/job/Hea...

The gift of a bank holiday is having time for a good book. Thanks to @torstenbell.bsky.social for an engaging and stimulating read. Particularly struck by “the Mayors have been given the task of economic leadership without the means to deliver it”. Hoping this new government will rectify this.

Re-reading this clear, compelling and comprehensive report on the returns to, and inequalities, in education. Difficult to imagine how we achieve our skills and growth ambitions unless we reverse this decline in adult training. academic.oup.com/ooec/article...