National Conference in further education sector set to inspire and innovate

09 Oct 2023

Published in: Member News

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AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated national conference and awards ceremony on November 9, 2023 - a dynamic gathering of educators, employers, and professionals committed to shaping the future of further education and training.

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AIM Qualifications and Assessment Group (AIM), a leading Awarding Organisation in the further education sector, is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated national conference and awards ceremony on November 9, 2023. This event promises to be a dynamic gathering of educators, employers, and professionals committed to shaping the future of further education and training.

Under the theme of "Empowering Futures," this conference is designed to inspire, engage, and foster collaboration within the further education community. Attendees can expect a wide array of enriching workshops, thought-provoking discussions, and networking opportunities, all aimed at addressing the critical issues facing the sector and exploring innovative solutions.

A key highlight of the event is the exceptional line-up of inspirational speakers who will share their expertise, insights, and vision for the future of further education and training. They include, but are not limited to:

David Hughes CBE Chief Executive, Association of Colleges: David represents and supports further education colleges to fulfil their role as anchor institutions, supporting over 2 million students each year. A 2030 skills vision for the general election: This presentation will set out what we want to see in the short term and how that fits into a wider and progressive vision for education and skills in England over the longer term.

Kira Dyer Project Manager, Power Up Agency: Power Up Agency is a flexi-job apprenticeship agency launched by Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and is supported by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), The Arts Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority to ‘power up’ on the job learning, skills development and progression in the workplace. Are flexi-apprenticeships the way forward for employers with working with short-term projects?: In this presentation we will discuss the benefits of flexi job apprenticeships for apprentices and employers, and how Power Up Agency is using the flexi job model to work with creative and cultural organisations across the North.

Sarah Moors Head of Early Careers and Staff Apprenticeships, BBC: Sarah leads the multi-award winning team who deliver pre-employment, apprenticeship and trainee schemes in journalism, technology, production and business for the BBC. Apprenticeships: The BBC has an ambition to increase the number of apprentices in the organisation to 1000 by the end of 2025. In this presentation Sarah will share the progress made so far, the challenges faced and how they have been overcome and the plans for the next two years that will ensure more apprentices join the BBC and help the organisation better reflect the audience it is serving.

In addition to these esteemed speakers, AIM will also host engaging expert-led workshops featuring renowned experts in the field. Topics will encompass critical issues such as “The demand for online learning is growing but are providers ready?”, “Widening participation in Access to Higher Education through the lens of understanding neurodiversity” and “Supporting the Green Agenda through Retrofitting”. Experts will share their perspectives, exchange ideas, and discuss innovative approaches to address the challenges facing the sector.

AIM’s national conference provides a unique opportunity for attendees to gain valuable insights, expand their professional networks, and contribute to the ongoing advancement of further education.

The event will also incorporate a prestigious awards ceremony, celebrating the remarkable success of AIM delivery partners and stakeholders in empowering futures through the delivery of AIM products and services. Six awards will be presented across categories including: Apprenticeship Employer Provider of the Year, Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year, Access to HE Centre of the Year, Bespoke Accreditation Provider of the Year, Quality Mark Provider of the Year and an Impact Award. AIM invites partner organisations to submit nominations by the extended deadline of October 13, 2023.

Kevern Kerswell, AIM Group CEO, shared, "We believe that the future of further education lies in collaboration, innovation, and visionary leadership. Our Empowering Futures Conference and Awards bring together thought leaders, educators, and professionals to explore new horizons, share best practices, and inspire positive change in the sector."

Event Details

Date: Thursday 9th November 2023

Time: 09:30am – 16:00pm

Location: East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham

Registration: Registration is now open. Visit www.aim-group.org.uk/conference23 to secure your spot as places are limited.

For more information, please contact Jill Minter at jill.minter@aimgroup.org.uk or 0844 225 3377.