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Association of Employment and Learning Providers
Annual Conference, 19-20 June 2012
Hilton London Metropole Hotel, London W2 1JU
Press release – 18 May 2012
Apprenticeship issues to lead off AELP annual conference
Employment and training providers will be gathering at the Association of Employment and Learning Providers annual conference in June determined to show that they are delivering excellent value for businesses, learners and unemployed people in challenging economic circumstances.
After coming under the Parliamentary and media microscope, Apprenticeships will be a major topic on the opening day of the conference when the skills minister, John Hayes MP, will give a keynote address.
An important session on supporting young people, including those in the NEET group, will bring together a wide range of perspectives and we will hear how the new National Careers Service can make a difference for young adults.
The second day’s session on the importance of skills for gaining sustainable employment will feature the shadow employment minister, Stephen Timms MP.
Another highlight will be a farewell address from Geoff Russell, the retiring chief executive of the Skills Funding Agency. Mr Russell is expected to offer a frank assessment of the FE and skills sector and his views on how it should be further reformed.
Providers air their views from the frontlin
Building on the success of a previous event, some of AELP’s member providers will be on the platform offering the frontline viewpoint on how providers and other stakeholders can deliver best value from government funding and employer contributions. Martin Dunford, the AELP chairman, will also give his usual honest and insightful views on the changes that the sector has experienced over the last 12 months.
Sponsored by Pearson Plc, the conference will be facilitated by the BBC’s Education Correspondent, Reeta Chakrabarti, and it will feature a packed programme of workshops as well as the main plenary sessions.
The plenary speakers include:
- John Hayes MP, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, BIS
- Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Shadow Employment Minister
- Martin Dunford OBE, Chairman, AELP
- Sarah Benioff, Director, National Apprenticeship Service
- Verity Bullough, Director, National Careers Service
- Matthew Coffey, National Director, Learning and Skills, Ofsted
- Michael Davis, Chief Executive, UK Commission for Employment and Skills
- Martin Doel OBE, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges
- Jan Hodges, Chief Executive, Edge Foundation
- Graham Hoyle OBE, Chief Executive, AELP
- Peter Lauener, Chief Executive, Education Funding Agency
- Trevor Luker, Managing Director, Pearson Work Based Learning & EDI
- Peter Mucklow, Director – Young People, Education Funding Agency
- David Russell, Director of Participation and Vocational Education, Department for Education
- Declan Swan, Director, Institute of Employability Professionals
- Kim Thorneywork, National Executive Director, Skills Funding Agency
- Professor Lorna Unwin, Professor of Vocational Education, Skills Commission
- Rob Wye, Chief Executive, Learning and Skills Improvement Service
Graham Hoyle OBE, AELP chief executive, said:
“AELP is the only representative body whose membership comprehensively covers employment and skills provision funded by the three principal government departments for the sector and the agenda of this year’s annual conference properly reflects this. As well as our usual line-up of top speakers, I am really pleased that the event will feature some of AELP’s high quality provider members offering a frontline perspective on what works best in a tough economic and fiscal climate.”
Trevor Luker, managing director, Pearson Work Based Learning & EDI, said:
“This is a real highlight event in the employment and skills calendar, and I am delighted we are supporting it. Both the plenary sessions and a first-rate set of workshops will leave delegates with an excellent understanding on what is on the horizon and on how their organisations can further improve delivery.”
The full speaker line-up and programme for the AELP annual conference on 19-20 June 2012 at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel (on Edgware Road very close to the underground station) are available at: http://bit.ly/Jd5jBE. Media representatives can also register online their interest in attending or email: info@rgmr.co.uk.
ENDS
Contact Aidan Relf on 07710 305182
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Notes to editors
1. About the Association of Employment and Learning Providers
The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) represents the interests of a range of organisations delivering state-funded vocational learning and employment placement, including in excess of 70% of apprenticeship training in England. The majority of our 600 member organisations are independent providers holding contracts with or through the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), Department of Education (DFE) and Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) for the provision of a wide-range of work-based and work-related learning. Amongst our members we also have a number of consultants, regional networks, and FE colleges in ,membership, alongside well over 50 charities, giving AELP a well rounded and comprehensive perspective and insight on matters relating to its remit. More information is available at: www.aelp.org.uk.
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2. About Pearson Work Based Learning and EDI, the conference headline sponsor
Pearson Work Based Learning and EDI is a leading UK and international awarding organisation providing vocational qualification and specialising in work based learning across a range of industry sectors.
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Working in partnership with private training organisation, employers and colleges, EDI provides innovative, high quality learner assessment and support services. Our business approach is based on providing advice, guidance and support to ensure that we meet the individual needs of our customers and their learners. For more information visit www.ediplc.com, call 08707 202909, or email enquiries@ediplc.com
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