FAB Conference Focuses on Real Issues of Qualifications Reform

22-Sep-2008

The 2005 Leitch Report on Skills highlighted the need for the UK to urgently raise achievements at all levels of skills development and made the recommendation that a commitment be made for the UK to become a world leader in skills by 2020. According to a recent review undertaken by the Edge Foundation, over 3,250,000 vocational qualifications were awarded in the UK last year*. The review concludes that this growth in people taking vocational qualifications is largely due to the significant demand from employers for qualifications designed to meet the skills needs in the economy.

A change in regulatory arrangements this year has already seen more than 30 employers having their training nationally recognised by Ofqual. Most have worked in partnership with existing awarding organisations; a few have achieved awarding status themselves.

Employers and other stakeholders, including awarding organisations, providers and regulators, wishing to find out more about how to ensure that qualifications meet skills needs should attend the Federation of Awarding Bodies (FAB) highly-regarded annual national conference taking place at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on 14th and 15th October 2008.

Paul Ellis, FAB’s Chief Executive, says of the conference: “This is the sixth annual national conference of the Federation of Awarding Bodies. It is probably the only forum that brings together awarding organisations, employers and providers over two days to hear from key people in the industry and question and debate the reality of vocational qualifications reform.”

The morning of the first day of the conference will set the policy context of vocational qualifications reform, and will include a keynote speech by David Lammy MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Skills; the afternoon focuses on employer perspectives.  The second day will include sessions on making qualifications work for providers and the challenges facing the awarding community.

Delegates are invited to attend either one or both days during which they will:

Prices start from £260 for one day or £420 for two days.  FAB members can enjoy a £50 booking discount. For more information or to book, visit www.awarding.org.uk

* Edge Foundation - The VQ Landscape 2008, a review of vocational qualification achievements in the UK, 23 July 2008.




Email karen.daws@cityandguilds.com
Contact Karen Daws, Federation of Awarding Bodies 020 7294 8138