Skills Dialogue Roundtables

DODS and the Skills Dialogue Group hosted two roundtable discussions in June 2009, bringing together parliamentarians and other key stakeholders to discuss the most pressing issues in the skills debate. A number of key discussion points were raised, which the group hope will help to drive forward the work to meet the UK's 2020 Skills Ambitions

A rise in unemployment:
The skills landscape has changed so very quickly since the economic downturn and the 16-19 year old population are some of the hardest hit.

Higher level skills coming out of the recession:
There has been a steep rise in applications to further and higher education in the last year but university places have been cut. Can investment in education provision help to skill the workforce to meet the needs of the post-recession economy?

Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships must meet fundamental criteria and not just government targets. Good progress has been made since 2006 and much of the infrastructure is in place to progress in the way Leitch envisaged. However the system must not be manipulated to meet the targets.

Instead, employers must be engaged to encourage a demand-led system and determine the necessary skills required on the ground.

The skills system:
The new Skills Funding Agency should be a simple interface between employers and individuals. A change of government after the next election is very likely and the system in place must be integrated and easy to use for employers.

Cross-party enquiry into learning:
Learning needs to be adapted to take into account the motivations of current learners. Skills practitioners must explore using new technology or context based-learning as incentives to improve aspirations and awareness of the value of skills.

Roundtable 1

Tuesday 23rd June 2009
08:30-10:00, Stephenson Room, IMechE, One Birdcage Walk

Chair:
Robin Hutchinson, associate director, DODS

Attendees:
Chris Kirby, head of education and skills, IMechE
Keith Marshal, chief executive, SummitSkills
Gerry Murray, chief executive, DODS
John Philpott, chief economist and head of Public Policy Unit, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Geoff Russell, chief executive, Learning and Skills Council
Terry Watts, chief executive, Proskills
Phil Willis MP, chair, Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee
David Winstanley, science special adviser, Semta
Jayne Worthington, skills policy manager, NWDA

Roundtable 2

Tuesday 30th June 2009
08:30 – 10:00, Stephenson Room, IMechE, One Birdcage Walk

Chair:
Gisela Stuart MP, editor, The House Magazine

Attendees:
Ian Bowman, head of corporate responsibility, Siemens plc
Nigel Couzens, head of people strategy, NDA
Claire Donovan, UK Skills policy adviser and Diploma in Engineering lead, Semta
Chris Kirby, head of education and skills, IMechE
Tim Matthews, chief executive, Remploy Limited
John Philpott, chief economist and head of Public Policy Unit, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Lindsay Roy MP, former president, School Leaders Scotland and member of the Scottish Literacy Commission
Anne Seaman, chief executive, Skillsmart Retail Ltd, the Sector Skills Council for Retail
Simon Waugh, chief executive, National Apprenticeship Service
Jayne Worthington, skills policy manager, NWDA
Lynne Sedgmore CBE, executive director, 157 Group