CONFERENCE SEASON
PARTY INVITES
Following the annual party conferences this autumn, Ruth Hydon, Political Affairs Executive at City & Guilds, refl ects on the key debates that took place at the conferences and the importance of further education in driving Britain’s economic growth
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The conference season is a time for UK parties to refl ect on key issues, to consider policy solutions to the challenges currently faced by society, and to address their own political and electoral goals. As
fi nancial markets across the world continue to refl ect a loss of confi dence in the fundamentals of economic development, it was no surprise that growth was right at the top of the agenda across all three conferences. With no money to spare, the government needs to be clear about the return on its investments. Placing this within the context of further education, while apprenticeships have been a huge success in terms of numbers, it is not clear how this is impacting on the growing problem of youth unemployment. Making they
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS 17-21 September, Birmingham
After a diffi cult year in which they have been held responsible for a number of unpopular policies, ministers were keen to emphasise their achievements
Advocate for
access to education Simon Hughes MP
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The Liberal Democrats are still getting used to being a party of government. After a diffi cult year in which they have been held responsible for a
number of unpopular policies, ministers at the conference were keen to emphasise their achievements and infl uence. In his speech, UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said that the Lib Dems were ‘not doing the easy thing, but the right thing’, referring to the party’s role in the coalition and the diffi cult spending decisions they have made. On education, the Lib Dems are focused on improving
ng sure young people get the skills ey need will be vital to the long- term success of the UK economy. Although policymakers have focused on higher education, conference debates emphasised that more than half of young people do not follow this route.
It is clear that alternative vocational pathways can offer real opportunities for exciting and fulfi lling careers across
a whole range of sectors. However, oung people in particular need access to good quality information to help make the c
you e choices that will determine their future. 34 | BROADSHEET 178 | WINTER
the life chances of young people from all backgrounds. During the conference, City & Guilds partnered with UnionLearn to look at: how skills and training could be improved, particularly for those who are unemployed; how to improve social mobility; and post-16 pathways for young people who do not go to university. Hosted by think tank Demos, ‘Unleashing talent: how do we plug the skills gap?’ brought together the government’s advocate for access to education, Simon Hughes MP; Microsoft’s Head of Skills, Stephen Uden; UnionLearn Director Tom Wilson; and City & Guilds’ Head of Policy & Corporate Affairs, Kate Shoesmith.
COMMON THEMES The debate revolved around how to make it easier for young people to navigate skills development once they have left school and some common themes emerged. We need to encourage schools/employers to make connections so that young people can learn about the world of work. Improved partnerships should also be developed between schools and further education providers, with young people needing access to good careers information, advice and guidance.
www.cityandguilds.com/broadsheet
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