Our International Skills Summit, broadcasted live from Dudley College of Technology, focussed on the skills required for economic growth and took place on Wednesday 19 May, 2021.
Whether you’re a business, policy-maker or educator, our International Skills Summit gave you unique access to leaders in your field on issues affecting skills for growth. It was an opportunity to hear how skills will be key for the recovery, pose questions to the speakers and learn how sectors such as clean tech and advanced manufacturing are developing the skills of the future.
We’re proud to have worked with our headline partner, NCFE, on the International Skills Summit. NCFE is the educational charity and leader in vocational and technical learning committed to powering a smarter education eco-system. We combine over 170 years of education experience with deep insight into what is needed and what works. From world-class qualifications and content to new assessment methodologies, from innovative technology platforms to partnership opportunities with our network of expert collaborators – we galvanise the education sector to shape the smartest solution for individual learning needs. In doing this, we’re working for a fairer education system for all learners to power inclusivity and choice.
Welcome and keynote speech ‘unleashing the potential of the skills economy’ from Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann (CEO at WorldSkills UK). Also features David Gallagher (Chief Executive at NCFE) and Neil Thomas (Principal and Chief Executive at Dudley College of Technology).
Mark Gregory (Chief Economist at EY) talks about the ‘Demand for high quality skills from international investors’.
Gillian Keegan, Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills
James Kirkup (Director at The Social Market Foundation) talks about how education can help level up the UK economy.
Featuring Guan Teck Heng, Deputy CEO at the Institute of Technical Education, Singapore
We hear from a range of contributors about how we can learn from other countries. Features David Gallagher (Chief Executive at NCFE), Dr Susan James Relly (Director at SKOPE), Nazrene Mannie (Executive Director at Global Apprenticeship Network), Aurélia Ruetsch (Director of International Relations at WorldSkills France) and Ben Blackledge (Deputy CEO at WorldSkills UK).
We hear about ‘Delivering higher technical skills to power our advanced manufacturing sector’ from Sarah Dhanda (Head of Strategic Partnerships at Enginuity), Barry Liles OBE (Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of Wales Trinity St David) and Neil Thomas (Chief Executive and Principal at Dudley College of Technology).
Afternoon keynote address from Kate Green OBE MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Education
We hear about ‘the role of skills excellence in delivering zero carbon’ from Bhavina Bharkhada (Senior Campaigns and Skills Policy Manager at Make UK), Jim Brown (Director at Energy Skills Partnership), Rhian Kelly (UK Corporate Affairs Director at National Grid) and Philip Le Feuvre (Chief Strategy Officer at NCFE).
