Flagship conference pledges to ‘build back better’ as employers and providers gather to discuss the future of apprenticeships

Written by Tidi Kwidini on March 24, 2022. Posted in Apprenticeships

The Luminate Education Group Apprenticeship team attended a two-day conference in Birmingham where they joined a host of organisations from across the UK for the flagship national apprenticeship conference for employers and providers.

Now in its eighth year, the Annual Apprenticeship Conference (AAC), provided business-critical updates, advice and keynotes for those involved in the delivery of apprenticeships. 

Hosted by FE Week and AELP, in association with NOCN, the conference was held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC) and welcomed a number of prominent  keynote speakers including Minister for Skills, Alex Burghart, Ofsted Chief Inspector, Amanda Spielman and, Shadow Skills & Apprenticeships Minister, Toby Perkins MP.

This year’s conference took place at a critical time for the UK as individuals and businesses emerge from the pandemic. The principal theme of AAC 2022 was ‘Building Back Better’, with a series of plenary sessions and workshops that covered insight into areas such as apprenticeship funding, achievement rates and changes to current SME systems.

Awards dinner and high commendation

The team also attended a gala dinner and awards ceremony where they were nominated and received high commendation for their outstanding contribution to the development of apprenticeships.

Lee Pryor, Director of Apprenticeships, praised the team for the accomplishment and for the work being done to promote and deliver apprenticeships across the region.

“We are truly honoured to have been shortlisted among some of the top education and training providers in the country, for playing our part in the development of apprenticeships.

“We want to be the go-to provider that supports people to take their careers to the next level, and delivering the future workforce in health and social care, engineering, construction, hospitality, travel and more, is one of our key priorities.”

The levelling up and skills agenda

Meanwhile, in his opening address, Alex Burghart MP spoke about the factors that will be needed to make levelling up a success in this generation.

He said: “One of the central factors will be skills. Skills will transform lives, they will transform communities, they will attract business and investment opportunities, improve national productivity and national competitiveness, and apprenticeships will be front and centre in that mission.”

The minister, who is responsible for overseeing further education providers, T Levels,  apprenticeships and adult education, said that the trajectory for progress was ‘in the right place’.

“We are making progress and getting back to where we should be. Nationally, the picture is bright and the latest figures reveal that in the first quarter of this academic year, 164,000 people started apprenticeships, which is 34% higher than the previous year and crucially six percent higher than before the pandemic.”

Alex Burghart, also added that the government intends to reevaluate the apprenticeship application process for young people to make it easier to navigate. Through this, the government hopes to see more young people choose apprenticeships as a post-school progression route.

Other keynote speakers included Jennifer Copeland, Chief Executive,Institute for Apprenticeships, who covered key issues around quality training, diverse workforces, the operation of the levy and how we can make apprenticeships work for everyone.

She said: “Our task is to ensure apprenticeships work for everyone.

“We need to take those commitment statements signed by the employer, apprentice and provider and really honour them. We also need to do more to support young apprentices to stay on their apprenticeship by demonstrating the value and training that they are getting, and mentoring them through those life events that might tip over into a decision to drop out.”

Apprenticeships are important to recovery

Ofsted’s chief inspector, Amanda Speilman, used her address to talk about how the pandemic showed how important all industries and services in the UK are and how the country’s collective skills base responded quickly to the crisis.

She also spoke about the future of Ofsted and how apprenticeships  play a critical role when it comes to having a skilled workforce that will deliver for Britain now and in the future.

Amanda said: “Apprenticeships have never been more important both for pandemic recovery and for future growth and prosperity.

“We will continue to play our part. Inspecting without fear or favour; by highlighting and celebrating where we find the best provisions  and by reporting honestly on providers that aren’t giving apprentices and employers the training they deserve.

The levy needs reassessing so that young people have a real opportunity 

David Hughes, CEO of the Association of Colleges, spoke about the need for the delivery of skills that employers need, removing bureaucracy and making apprenticeship funding accessible. While Shadow Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships, Toby Perkins MP, reiterated that the apprenticeship levy is in need of reform and that collectively, there is a need to build a skills system that ensures that more young people across communities have access to apprenticeship opportunities.

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Leeds Conservatoire appoints new Chair to the Board of Directors

Written by Tidi Kwidini on March 10, 2022. Posted in Members

Leeds Conservatoire is delighted to announce that it has appointed a new Chair to the Board of Directors – Carolyn Lord.

Carolyn, a solicitor, has spent all of her life in Leeds and Yorkshire. In a career spanning over 30 years, she has advised on some of the most significant development schemes in Leeds, as well as projects across the UK, and has been appointed to external roles to deal with areas of governance of local authorities in West Yorkshire. She is also a trustee of Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

With nine years as a governor at Leeds Trinity University and a further two years as a member of the Board at Leeds Conservatoire, Carolyn is passionate about opening up the opportunities of Higher Education (HE) to the widest diversity of students and helping to ensure the long-term success of specialist HE institutions that add to the region’s cultural richness.

In addition, Carolyn has a life-long love of music which she has passed on to her three sons. She has sung in many choirs and was a founder member of St Peter’s Singers in Leeds in her teenage years. She has also sung in or been associated with Leeds Cathedral Choir since the 1980s.

Carolyn says, “It is my privilege to take on the role of Chair of the Board of Leeds Conservatoire at this time when the importance of providing opportunities for talented young people to flourish is so necessary. I am looking forward to playing a part in strengthening the prominence of the conservatoire for Leeds on the international stage and supporting the work of its dedicated and creative staff team.”

Professor Joe Wilson, Principal at Leeds Conservatoire, adds,“Carolyn brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to Leeds Conservatoire and I’m sure that she will be an absolute asset as Chair of the Board. I am pleased to welcome her to this pivotal role.”

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Statement from Luminate Education Group about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the need to uphold our values

Written by Tidi Kwidini on March 18, 2022. Posted in News

Luminate Education Group unequivocally condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the terrible suffering and loss of life it is causing.

We stand in solidarity with all of the Ukrainians who are enduring this war, including the millions who have been forced to flee their homeland and seek refuge in other countries.

As an education provider, we cherish the values of diversity, inclusion and tolerance that are at the heart of democratic societies which respect the dignity of the individual and freedom of thought and expression. Indeed, celebrating individuality and respecting others are part of the group’s core principles.

It is such values that authoritarianism and its consequences, of which this unprovoked invasion is a shockingly stark example, seeks to destroy. 

We are also painfully aware that this crisis is far from an isolated event. Instead, it is the latest – and from our European perspective, due to its proximity and severity, most shocking – example of a wider and ongoing pattern of conflict that has created refugees around the world. 

Whenever such crises arise it is vital that we respond with compassion and conviction, while continuing to uphold and defend our values.

And so it is now when we realise that many parts of our member colleges, and wider, community are being affected by the events in Ukraine and will need our support. That includes our Russian students, many of whom will be opposed to the war, and all of whom – of course – have a right to feel respected and safe.

In terms of what we are doing specifically, the group:

• Is providing information and advice resources, including details on how to support refugees, via its Student Information Hub
• Is putting our Ukrainian students, especially those who are being taught online, in touch with each other
• Our students’ union has started a campaign, Us Against War, and is organising a number of fundraising activities to help UNICEF support victims of the invasion. 
• And we are spreading awareness about collections of items for transportation to Poland, to help Ukrainian refugees.

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Leeds Conservatoire and Black Lives in Music – One year on

Written by Tidi Kwidini on March 10, 2022. Posted in Members

Leeds Conservatoire was the first confirmed working partner for Black Lives in Music (BLiM), and has now been working with BLiM for over a year.

This vital campaign organisation seeks to address the inequalities facing Black people in achieving careers as artists or professionals in the music industry, through research and advocacy. Black Lives in Music aims to bring together organisations and musicians to work towards the same goal: dismantling structural racism in the industry.

Leeds Conservatoire was first introduced to BLiM through Jazz Programme Leader Jamil Sheriff who currently sits on the BLiM leadership team.

Since then, the partnership with BLiM has helped inform and develop important work that the conservatoire is now engaged in. The organisation has consulted with Leeds Conservatoire’s Programme Leaders on how to achieve better representation in music repertoire, guest artists, and visiting staff.

In the past year Black Lives in Music has worked with multiple teams across the conservatoire on topics ranging from improving inclusivity in staff and student recruitment approaches to diversity awareness training.

Roger Wilson, Director of Operations at BLiM, expressed his thoughts on the partnership:

“It’s been great to work with Leeds Conservatoire as part of their EDI change programme. Black Lives in Music are proud to say that Leeds Conservatoire were our very first confirmed working partner. Our work together has helped to inform the important work that the conservatoire is now engaged in. The EDI Change team completed an impressive report that our work feeds into. The offer of pastoral support for students of colour through safe space sessions, reviewing student and staff recruitment procedures, review of curriculum and decolonising of spaces are all headline activities, but there has been so much more going on.

“The inclusive practice work of all conservatoires is crucial to better representation and culture change in the wider ecology of the sector. We have been pleased to have been brought into a number of conversations with likeminded arts organisations courtesy of Leeds Conservatoire.

“We must be realistic about change-making; discrimination and prejudice have been an issue for hundreds of years. Reprogramming and changing how we think and act takes time. I’m heartened by the huge amount of work undertaken by the conservatoire to lead on change and look forward to a rich and fruitful collaboration between our organisations.”

Download Black Lives in Music’s ‘Being Black in the Music Industry’ report.

Find out more about Black Lives in Music.

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Keighley College students offer a helping hand to support Ukraine refugees

Written by Tidi Kwidini on March 17, 2022. Posted in Members

Students studying English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Public Services and Joinery, have provided their support for Ukraine refugees at a local community hub, The Good Shepherd Centre.

The centre has been working hard to collect items which are urgently needed for refugees, who are seeking asylum in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova and Romania.

The learners have been helping to sort out the donations, including toiletries, first aid items, activity packs and sleeping equipment. These items will be transported to churches and other charities on the Polish border. 

The important work being done at The Good Shepherd Centre appeared on ITV Calendar News, where the learners spoke about the necessity of supporting those less fortunate than us.

Find out how you can help the centre here or by contacting them on 07756409246 or tgsc.keighley@gmail.com. 

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Keighley College partners with Keighley Cougars to inspire next generation of rugby players

Written by Tidi Kwidini on March 10, 2022. Posted in Members

Keighley College has joined forces with local rugby league team, Keighley Cougars, to give young people an introduction to life as a professional rugby league player.

The partnership will see the college supporting Keighley Cougars’ innovative new Elite Talent Pathway; a performance programme aimed at young males aged 11 to 16. They will get the chance to train in an environment with professional support, learning and improving skills which they can take back to their local community clubs. The programme will aim to operate three development squads being U/12’s, U/14’s and U/16’s. Each team will get the opportunity to play matches against other teams from professional clubs.

Focused on supporting the development of young players and creating a performance pathway, the programme enables members of the community to gain access to professional rugby league coaching encompassing skills assessments, progress reports and education based on nutrition and lifestyle choices. 

Claire Fitzgerald, Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Growth at Keighley College, said: “We pride ourselves on being a community-led college, so partnering with a historically renowned club which inspires many local young people is a phenomenal opportunity. We’ll be working collaboratively on community projects, while proudly sponsoring the playing and training kits.

“Keighley is a town bursting with talented young individuals, and we’re determined to help fuel their ambitions to become skilled rugby players. In the coming years, we hope to work closely with Keighley Cougars in setting up a development academy, whereby young people aged 16 to 19 years old can develop their rugby skills.”

Andrew Henderson, Head of Rugby at Keighley Cougars, added: “Keighley College shares our vision for providing better opportunities for young people in Keighley, which is why we’re thrilled to have them on board as our major sponsor. We hope to not only support players in their journey to becoming professional players, but also provide them with the best educational opportunities alongside this which can be offered at the college.

“We’re determined to inspire the wider community through this initiative, as our players will take a wealth of knowledge and performance skills back to their local teams. Next year, our goal is to extend our programme to girls in the area.”

The programme will be launching officially in Spring 2022.

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