Conference to break barriers
A UNIQUE conference looking at the barriers and incentives for employers who want to work more closely with schools in building a skilled workforce on Teesside is planned for this autumn.
Organised jointly by the Evening Gazette, Middlesbrough College, Hall Garth Community Arts College, Teesside University and training organisation A4E, the conference follows widespread concern about the introduction of 14-19 diplomas from September, five of which are being piloted across the UK, including engineering at eight colleges locally.
Steve Taylor, head of Hall Garth and chairman of the conference steering group, said the aim of the conference was to “share good practice, raise awareness of what’s possible and see how we could improve the quality of work and get rid of some of the barriers”.
And he urged local companies to take part in an online questionnaire to gather their thoughts on employer engagement with schools and colleges. Key note speaker at the conference will be Chris Tweedale, the Government’s national director of education for 14 to 19-year-olds and the man responsible for overseeing the introduction of diplomas. The conference will then break down into workshops run by, among others, Marks and Spencer, HSBC, Proctor and Gamble and Sainsbury’s.
Any organisation wishing to be involved should contact Steve Taylor at Hall Garth - Stephen_taylor@middlesbrough.gov.uk
