Inspector Bell and Digby Jones, Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) will both offer their respective views on vocational learning at this conference, which is a part of Enterprise Insight Week. In his speech, Bell will consider why vocational education is currently held in such low esteem, examining whether it is because employers are not as closely involved with the development of vocational qualifications as some of the UK's international competitors.

Today's Ofsted report, The Responsiveness of Colleges to the Needs of Employers found that while half of the general further education colleges visited undertook a significant amount of work with and for employers, sixth form colleges rarely worked with employers. "The Tomlinson report of the future of 14-19 education has catapulted vocational education into the headlines. It is vital that we ensure that our pupils gain the skills and experience to operate in what is becoming a global marketplace," furthered Bell.

Offering the point of view of business, Digby Jones said, "What business wants is an education system that produces well-skilled youngsters that are motivated, independent and have the right attitude to work." Jones believes that employers" needs have not yet been completely met by vocational qualifications and that the 21st century world of work requires a demand not provider-based solution.