Designing and Tendering for Skills Bootcamps
2025-02-25 09:30 - 12:30 (Europe/London) | Online
Overview

Skills Bootcamps were the ‘go-to’ development programme under the last Government.

The new Government have stated that future opportunities under this funding stream will be available at Mayoral Combined Authority, or Local Authority/Local Enterprise Partnership level.

This half day interactive online workshop will look at the nuances and details of Skills Bootcamps and help providers to ‘get their ducks in a row’.

Objectives

This session is designed to help you meet the following learning objectives:

Have a clear understanding of Skills Bootcamps, the outcomes required and the associated payment triggers;

Understand how to create a solution and translate this to a high-quality tender;

Effectively plan a submission and understand what comes next.

Who should attend?

All providers who want to become involved in the Skills Bootcamp arena.

Those responsible for making decisions on what to bid for and those within each organisation tasked to complete the solution design and tender activity, likely to be:

Directors;

Business Development Professional;

Proposal Writers;

Heads of Delivery.

Facilitator

Steve O’Hare, Director, SCLO Con

Click here to find out more information or to register.

Apprenticeships – understanding the AAF (Apprenticeship Accountability Framework)
2025-02-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Overview

Attending this session will allow delegates to recap on the key components and requirements of a key performance measuring framework in place for apprenticeship providers – the Apprenticeship Accountability Framework (AAF).

In addition to this, we will explore ways in which providers can align the external measures to internal performance monitoring and how this is essential to improving provider outcomes.

The webinar will facilitate the sharing of provider practice and support best practice examples for managing data and operational practice to fully integrate and embed the AAF framework.

Objectives

This webinar will provide delegates with:

A deeper understanding of the most recent Apprenticeship Accountability Framework;

An understanding of how to align operational performance and practice to external measures to support business efficiencies and improved outcomes;

An opportunity to explore best practice activities to support a cross organisational understanding and commitment to key provider performance measures.

Facilitator

Natalie Rae, Director, Education & Skills Consultant, Natalie Rae Consultancy LTD

Click here to find out more information or to register.

Implementing a New Audit & Risk Committee
2025-02-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Online
The ESFA Provider Financial Handbook requires/recommends that most providers establish an ‘independent’ Audit & Risk Committee as an important contributor to protecting public funding.
The concept of an Audit & Risk Committee is new to most ITPs and at this important workshop we will consider:

the approach to establishing an effective and compliant Audit & Risk Committee
membership, terms of reference, agendas, frequency of meetings and reporting arrangements
the importance of establishing an annual audit cycle and an annual reporting plan
the controls and assurance framework needed for audit to be effective
the interface between the Audit & Risk Committee, the Board and the Senior Management Team

At the workshop we will give clear guidance and advice on how to interpret the expectations of the handbook and how to ensure that the Audit & Risk Committee is embedded and adding value to you organisation within a 12 month timeframe.

How to Use Online Platforms Effectively in Teaching including AI
2025-02-19 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
Overview

The effective use of technology in teaching is no longer a choice but a necessity for educators to provide engaging and meaningful sessions. Online and blended learning approaches offer significant benefits, including flexibility, enhanced learner engagement and opportunities to develop digital skills. While Ofsted is cautious about the use of AI, it does recognise the importance of integrating technology into teaching to create dynamic and meaningful learning experiences.

This interactive webinar will explore how online platforms, when used effectively, can transform teaching practices and improve learner outcomes. With the inclusion of AI tools, educators can enhance interactivity, personalisation and collaborative opportunities, fostering a richer and more impactful learning environment.

This session will provide insights into how to leverage core online platforms and AI tools, with practical strategies for implementation, ensuring confident engagement with digital resources to achieve educational objectives.

This webinar will support educators and providers to:

Strengthen confidence in digital teaching methodologies, including AI-enhanced approaches.

Offer practical strategies for creating flexible and engaging online or blended learning experiences.

Help participants enhance their digital skills and build capacity to deliver high-quality online education.

Develop actionable insights and a roadmap for to support a robust and modern online teaching offer that aligns with the latest trends and learner needs.

Objectives

This in depth (deep dive) interactive webinar will:

Review the essential functionalities of key online platforms and emerging AI tools;

Explore techniques for maximising the effectiveness of online platforms to enhance teaching and learning;

Develop confidence in using interactive technology to engage learners and support collaboration;

Formulate a personalised action plan to integrate online platforms and AI into teaching practices.

Facilitator

Christine Edwards QTLS, Creating Excellence

Click here to find out more information or to register.

AELP Spotlight: Live
2025-02-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Overview

This is your chance to hear from AELP about the burning issues of the day alongside updates of our work to help improve the skills sector.

Facilitator

Ben Rowland, CEO, AELP

Webinar Chair

Ciaran Roche, Public Affairs Manager, AELP

Click here to find out more information or to register.

Preventing ‘lost learning’ through increasing attendance and reducing exclusions
2025-02-12 08:45 - 16:30 | HALLAM Conference Centre, London, 44 Hallam Street London W1W 6JJ, London, W1W 6JJ
This one-day conference will discuss the new government’s drive to boost school attendance and pupils’ engagement with learning. It will provide a range of ideas for innovative and impactful practice to apply in your own setting and examine the latest evidence on what improves outcomes for this vulnerable group of children.The conference will bring together system leaders, decision makers and frontline practitioners across public, private and third sector organisations who work with children who struggle to engage in education.

Ensuring a Successful Outcome to Your Next Ofsted Full Inspection
2025-02-11 09:30 - 2025-02-12 12:30 | Online
Overview

Ofsted is currently aiming to wrap up its programme of ensuring all providers have a full inspection in the three years between September 2022 and September 2025 when they will introduce a new inspection framework. So if you haven’t been inspected since September 2022, the net is slowly closing in on you receiving a full inspection sometime in this contract or academic year.

This online workshop is for training providers, employer providers and local authorities delivering apprenticeships, skills bootcamps, ASF-funded employability training and other similar types of provision.

We will consider what, at each stage of the ‘learner journey’, what you most need be aware of to ensure you are well prepared for your next Ofsted inspection. Richards will draw on examples of what he considers to be best practice from the many training providers he works with as well as the experiences some of them have had of being inspected by Ofsted recently.

He will also discuss what inspectors will look for in your leadership and management and how they will evaluate your safeguarding arrangements.

Objectives

This in depth interactive workshop will examine a number of key areas, including:

What a full Ofsted inspection will mean for you and how it will be conducted;
The current themes inspectors are likely to be keen to explore with you on inspections this year;
What being a great provider means in the context of the EIF;
Examples of best practice in providing high-quality education and training at each stage of the ‘learner journey’;
Leadership and management in the context of the EIF;
Ensuring you have effective management arrangements in place for safeguarding learners.

Facilitator

Richard Moore, Richard Moore Solutions

Click here to find out more information or to register.

The National Apprenticeship & Education Event - Northeast Region - Newcastle
2025-02-11 09:30 - 15:00 | Newcastle Civic Centre, BARRAS BRIDGE NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, NE1 8QH, United Kingdom
Where young people get inspired about their future, whether that’s further education, training or employment.

About the event

The National Apprenticeship & Education Event – Northeast in Newcastle, is the perfect event for school and college students from year 10+ as well as young adults to find out more about apprenticeships at all levels as well as the educational pathways available to them.

Taking place at The Civic Centre in Newcastle this event welcomes visitors and exhibitors from the Northeast Region including Newcastle, Gateshead, North & South Tyneside, Sunderland, Northumberland, Durham, Cleveland and Middlesborough.

Be there. Be inspired.

Level 3 Award in Education and Training (4 Days)
2025-02-10 09:30 - 2025-02-13 16:30
The Award in Education and Training is intended for those who require an introductory, knowledge-based teaching qualification which can be undertaken by individuals who are not yet in a teaching/training role, or for those who are currently teaching/training. For example, this could be in a private training provider, the uniformed services, the workplace, or in community organisations and the voluntary sector.

Our four-day AET programme is accredited by TQUK, following their Level 3 Award in Education and Training – Qualification Specification.

This programme is designed for individuals who would like to start teaching or for those who are already teaching but need a nationally recognised teaching qualification for their career development. It is designed for the education sector, private training industry and self-employment and covers the generic teaching skills that are required in becoming an effective teacher/trainer.

Start: 10th February @ 09:30 am

End: 13th February @ 4:30 pm

Website: https://essentialteaching.uk/popular-courses/education-training/level-3-award-in-education-training

Enrol here…

Learners will achieve the nationally recognised RQF approved: TQUK Level 3 Award in Education and Training.

We are very proud to be a platinum-approved centre and have direct claim status with our awarding body TQUK, resulting in certificates being awarded within 10 working days of portfolio completion.

Classroom Management Strategies
2025-02-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Overview

This webinar is part of a series of webinars focussing on pedagogy and improving Teaching & Learning. The sessions will ensure that delegates can make practical differences to their teaching immediately.

Click the links to register your interest in the rest of this series.

How to ask Great Questions to Enhance Learning

Differentiation and Inclusion

Effective relationships for Learning

Objectives

This webinar will help delegates to:

Identify key strategies for effective classroom management that foster a positive learning environment;
Understand the role of proactive behaviour management in minimizing disruptions and enhancing engagement;
Explore methods for establishing clear expectations and routines to support classroom order and student responsibility;
Develop techniques for managing challenging behaviours in a constructive and inclusive manner.

Who should attend

Independent Training providers;
Workplace learning providers;
Apprenticeship training providers;
Voluntary sector providers;
Those involved in combined authority funded contracts;
GFE sector.

Facilitator

Paul Wakeling, Education Consultant

Click here to find out more information or to register.

University of Chester Nutrition Fair
2025-02-05 11:00 - 13:00 | University of Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ, United Kingdom
From boosting sleep to balanced, budget-friendly bites, this free Nutrition Fair is being held at the University of Chester to help people forget the fads and explore ways to stay healthy.

The Fair will be hosted by students from Clinical Sciences and Nutrition programmes, in the Small Hall, at the University’s Exton Park site in Chester.

An annual event, it is open to all to explore topics such as bone health and sugar consumption, from 11am to 1pm.

Students will present talks, offer advice, interactive games and top tips to encourage people to think about differences they can make to lead a healthier lifestyle.

All final-year undergraduate, Nutrition and Exercise, Human Nutrition and Nutrition and Dietetic students will run individual stalls to promote, share information and raise awareness, focused on:

Dietary Detectives

Kick Start You AM

Calciferol Crew

Fermented Friends

Inflammation Insights

Menopause Matters

Osteofighters

Portion Pals

Spice Up Your Life

The Med Diet – Food For Thought

The Sleep Boosting Symptoms

Budget Friendly Bites

Caffeine Conscious

Eating Smart, Love Your Heart

Jen Bramley, Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Chester, said: “I’m very proud of the work the students have put into sharing fantastic, useful advice through fun, informative and practical sessions, to inspire anyone wanting to learn more about how to improve their health through diet and nutrition.”

February Open Event
2025-02-03 16:30 - 19:00 | West Lancashire College, College Way, Skelmersdale, WN8 6LH, United Kingdom
At our Open Event, you can find out more about our range of BTECs, Technical, T Level and Apprenticeship courses which include:

T Levels in Building Services Engineering, Management and Business, Digital Support Services, Education and Child Care, as well as Health

BTECS in Art and Design, Early Years Education, Computer Science, Engineering, Health and Social Care, Sports and Uniformed Public Services

Technicals in Beauty Therapy, Bricklaying, Carpentry and Joinery, Electrical, Hairdressing, Motor Vehicle and Plumbing

Apprenticeships in Carpentry and Joinery, Electrical and Engineering

Foundation Learning including Inclusive Learning, Aspire programme and Supported Internship

You can meet our tutors and talk to current students, view our outstanding facilities, and find out more about our great results, free* transport, fabulous wrap around support, great connections with employers and universities and our fully funded international trips including Cyprus, Malta, and the Netherlands!

Plus, there will be lots of activities for you to explore and free refreshments too.

We very much look forward to welcoming you to our college soon.

*Subject to eligibility & availability

Towards AI Literacy – 101+ Creative and Critical Practices, Perspectives, and Purposes. An Update.
2025-01-30 16:00 - 17:00
Join us for a free webinar on Thursday, 30th January 2025, as we explore innovative ways to advance AI literacy across educational levels. AI literacy is increasingly essential as artificial intelligence reshapes the world around us. This 1 hour webinar is led by the editorial team behind Towards AI Literacy: 101+ Creative and Critical Practices, Perspectives, and Purposes, a groundbreaking resource featuring over 100 creative strategies, critical insights, and educational approaches contributed by experts from 22 countries. Launched in 2023, this project supports educators, students, and communities in developing confident, practical AI understanding.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, 30th January 2025

Time: 16.00 – 17.00 GMT

Format: 30-minute presentation, followed by a 25-minute interactive Q&A.

Register

What to Expect

This engaging webinar will delve into the crucial role of AI literacy in education, offering a unique blend of global perspectives and hands-on strategies for the classroom. Sandra Abegglen, the lead presenter, alongside co-authors Chrissi Nerantzi, Antonio Martínez-Arboleda, Marianna Karatsiori, Javiera Atenas, and Chris Rowell, will discuss the project’s growth and the second collection’s aims to foster inclusive AI conversations across the education sector.

Who Should Attend?

Educators, parents, and students interested in understanding and applying AI literacy concepts are welcome. This session also supports continuing professional development (CPD) for educators keen to bring AI literacy into schools and classrooms effectively.

Attendees will gain actionable insights and practical examples of AI in education, enhancing AI literacy at every educational level and inspiring new ways to incorporate AI into everyday learning contexts.

Engaging the disengaged – How ITPs can support NEETs – Sponsored by Gateway
2025-01-30 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Overview
Find out how ITPs can help tackle the rising number of young people disengaged from education and employment.
With the latest ONS data estimating that almost 1 million young people are now classified as not in education, employment, or training (NEET), tackling this issue will be key to the new government delivering its five missions to rebuild Britain.
Hear from Youth Employment UK about the changing nature of NEETs, how the future landscape could affect young people and the support and best practices available for all of those working in this broad and complex area.
Plus, discover what’s working and get practical tips from ITPs that are striving to ensure no young person is left behind.
Objectives
By the end of this webinar, you will:

Understand the challenges and opportunities for engaging with NEETs;
Gain practical insights into the type of programmes and curriculum that work;
Uncover the funding options to support you engage with NEETs.

Who should attend?
Anyone involved in supporting young people at risk of being not in education, employment or training (NEET). Especially those with responsibility for planning outreach and re-engagement programmes, or tutors working with these learners.
Webinar Chair
Simon Ashworth, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Policy, AELP
Facilitator
Paul Saunders, Commercial Director, Gateway Qualifications
Guest Speakers
Lauren Mistry – Deputy CEO, Youth Employment UK,
Stuart Allen – Chief Education Officer, SCL
Mark Pike – Head of Education and Inclusion, City Gateway
Webinar Chair: Simon Ashworth, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Policy, AELP
Click here to find out more information or to register.

Educators Empowered Live Event -Supporting Teacher Trainers
2025-01-29 15:30 - 17:00
Introducing the first Educators Empowered Live Event!

I’m thrilled to announce a free event designed to support Teacher Trainers delivering the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (FE & Skills).

🗓 When: 29th January 2025📍 Where: Live Virtual Event

This interactive event is your opportunity to:✅ Connect with fellow Teacher Trainers from across the sector.✅ Gain practical insights into delivering the Level 5 Diploma.✅ Access tips, helpful hints, and strategies to enhance teaching practice.✅ Explore how to empower the next generation of educators.

Whether you’re new to delivering this qualification or looking to refine your approach, this event is tailored to provide you with the knowledge, resources, and community support you need to succeed.

Registrations are already coming in… Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out

Stay tuned for the agenda, and let’s come together to empower educators and shape the future of teaching.

Register here…

Embedding Safeguarding and Prevent into the Curriculum for 2025
2025-01-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
Overview
This webinar will help Apprenticeships and Bootcamp providers to embed safeguarding and Prevent duty strategies into the curriculum planning and delivery for 2025.
Objectives
This webinar is designed for:

Governance board members, leaders and managers;
Designated Safeguarding Leads/Officers and team members responsible for safeguarding and Prevent working in any provider setting operating in the FE and Skills sector;
Lead sector practitioners/teachers.

Who should attend?
This webinar is designed for:

Governance board members, leaders and managers;
Designated Safeguarding Leads/Officers and team members responsible for safeguarding and Prevent working in any provider setting operating in the FE and Skills sector;
Lead sector practitioners/teachers.

Facilitator
Maureen Deary, Governance, Leadership and Management, Quality Improvement and Curriculum Consultant and Ian Smith, FES Consultancy

Preparing for an Apprenticeship Audit
2025-01-23 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
Education and Skills Funding Agency funding rules and requirements are disparate, complex and easy to misinterpret.
The responsibility for identifying irregularities in the claims process, in part rests with the ESFA’s Provider Risk and Assurance Team who have been instrumental in recovering millions of pounds from providers through the extrapolated clawback process.
In addition, the ESFA undertake desktop Financial Audits on your monthly returns with a view to identifying errors, inconsistencies and potential overclaims.
At this important seminar we will talk through the audit requirements of the apprenticeship model, giving you tips and advice to ensure that your paperwork is robust and that you are prepared for the audit review.
The seminar will cover:
The ESFA Audit Process and what you can expect;
The Sample Testing Process, error reporting and the potential consequences of getting it wrong;
The key documentation you will need to have available and the importance of ensuring its compliance with the funding guidance and audit requirements;
The importance of using PDSATs and key Funding Monitoring Reports;
We will also share our own experience of being audited by the ESFA—where we secured a 0% error rate.

Seamlessly integrating degree assessment and end-point assessment for apprenticeships
2025-01-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
Now more than ever, degree assessment and end-point assessment are becoming increasingly integrated for degree apprenticeship standards.
But how can universities do this well? How can you design assessment materials and grading criteria that are valid for both the degree and apprenticeship at the same time? How can assessors and examiners fairly grade assessments for a joint purpose?
In this 2-hour interactive online workshop, assessment specialist Chris Cherry will take you through a step-by-step example of how to develop the plan for an effective unified assessment rubric.
During the session, we’ll look at:

The principles of unifying learning objectives and outcomes
Simplifying apprenticeship KSB’s and outcomes
Creating assessment materials for both the degree credit module and end-point assessment
Creating a rubric to work alongside the assessment plan to create a single point of assessment
Practical considerations for assessors / examiners – fairly grading assessments for a joint purpose

About your session
The series will be facilitated by Chris Cherry. Chris has helped to set up many EPAOs and their assessor teams to conduct end-point assessment, as well as working with hundreds of apprenticeship providers and their staff to prepare apprentices for EPA. Chris is an SDN Strategic Associate and holds a Masters in Assessment Theory.
This session is designed for all those involved in the design, delivery and assessment of degree apprenticeships.
“Very informative in terms of gateway requirements and preparing learners for EPA. Also provided validation of current processes in own organisation.”
– Siemens Energy
Booking and payment:
We recommend attending our workshops live, but you can also be sent the recordings and materials if you prefer to review them in your own time.
If you have several staff who would benefit, let us know and we’ll send you details of the most cost-effective way of accessing the session.
If you’re a public sector body (e.g. Local Authority), and unable to book via card, please email us. When you make a booking, you agree to these Terms and Conditions (including those who request a booking via email and invoice)
SDN CPD is designed for Government funded Training Providers. If you’re not a Government funded Training Provider but are still interested in attending please email events@strategicdevelopmentnetwork.co.uk to discuss your attendance in more detail before booking.

Assessment for Learning
2025-01-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Overview
This webinar is part of a series of webinars focussing on pedagogy and improving Teaching & Learning. The sessions will ensure that delegates can make practical differences to their teaching immediately.
Click the links to register your interest in the rest of this series.
Differentiation and Inclusion
Classroom Management Strategies
Effective relationships for Learning
Objectives
This webinar will help delegates to:

Understand key principles of Assessment for Learning (AfL) and how they apply to diverse learning environments;
Identify practical assessment strategies that foster active engagement and support differentiated instruction;
Develop skills in formative assessment to monitor and enhance student progress continuously;
Explore effective feedback techniques that encourage self-reflection and deeper learning in students.

Who should attend?

Independent Training providers;
Workplace learning providers;
Apprenticeship training providers;
Voluntary sector providers;
Those involved in combined authority funded contracts;
GFE sector;
Trainers/teachers/assessors;
Heads of Quality;
Heads of Teaching and Learning.

Facilitator
Paul Wakeling, Education Consultant
Click here to find out more information or to register.

Apprenticeship compliance for leaders – CPD accredited
2025-01-22 14:00 - 2025-01-29 15:30 | Online
“An apprenticeship deliverer is only going to be compliant if they understand the real risks within their organisation”
This CPD-accredited, in-depth webinar series digs deeply into the realities of apprenticeship compliance.
Designed for managers and leaders who want strategies for apprenticeship compliance, these sessions bring to life the knowledge and understanding of the core rules and funding methodologies. Beyond the basic rules, you’ll look at the foundations of compliance across your organisation, and how curriculum, evidence system design and monitoring of implementation are integral to getting compliance right while also strengthening quality.
At the end of the series, you will:

Be able to critically evaluate compliance in your own area of operation
Have developed your understanding of best practice for reducing risk
Increased your knowledge of common errors and how to avoid them

We’ll take you through:

Key compliance principles – How it all should work
Risk in areas of operation
Managing the risk of rogue elements within your organisation
Safeguarding funding through the apprentice journey – the data needed
The three R’s, Right programme, Right learner, and Right employer
Compliance strategies
Common strategic errors

About your session
David Lockhart-Hawkins, SDN’s compliance expert will facilitate this series. David has experience of working with hundreds of high performing apprenticeship organisations over the last twenty years, including some of the UK’s largest, highest quality, specialist and new providers.
This Compliance for Leaders series is now fully CPD accredited! The accreditation reflects the industry-leading insights and practical strategies the series gives you. Not only will you come away more confident to lead compliance in your team and organisation, you will also receive a CPD certificate to evidence your personal development.
We’ve built this series so that providers can send middle and senior managers from all departments and areas on an intensive high-level compliance journey so that they can bring new ideas and best practice examples back into their organisations.
We highly recommend that you attend our Apprenticeship compliance fundamentals and what this means for your role series prior to attending these webinars. This will introduce all apprenticeship staff to the core apprenticeship rules and where their role fits in the compliance journey.
“Gave me a better understanding of how to improve quality through compliance audits and reviews within the company.”
“Very insightful, lots of great knowledge and handouts to help.”
– Previous event attendees
Booking and payment:
You can either attend live sessions or be sent the recordings and materials if you prefer to review them in your own time. You can also mix and match for whatever works best for your schedule.
If you have several staff who would benefit, let us know and we’ll send you details of the most cost-effective way of accessing the session.
If you’re a public sector body (e.g. Local Authority), and unable to book via card, please email us. When you make a booking, you agree to these Terms and Conditions (including those who request a booking via email and invoice)
SDN CPD is designed for Government funded Training Providers. If you’re not a Government funded Training Provider but are still interested in attending please email events@strategicdevelopmentnetwork.co.uk to discuss your attendance in more detail before booking.

Funding Assurance Review Insights
2025-01-21 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
Overview
This webinar is designed to help participants gain an understanding of the ESFA’s approach to funding assurance reviews and how to prepare for a visit.
Objectives
This webinar will provide operational updates and share best practices on:

What to expect from an ESFA Funding Assurance Review;
How to plan and prepare for the visit;
Some common issues identified from recent ESFA Funding Assurance Reviews.

Who should attend?
This session will be of interest to Directors of Finance and MIS Managers at providers who are in receipt of ESFA Funding and who are therefore in-scope for an ESFA Funding Assurance Review.
Facilitators
Lisa Smith, Risk Assurance Director, RSM and Emma Gipson, Manager, RSM

Ufi’s VocTech Activate grant fund: Pre-application workshop
2025-01-20 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-01-16 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-01-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Grants of up to £60,000 available from Ufi VocTech Trust

Ufi VocTech Trust (Ufi), the UK charity unlocking the full potential of technology to get adults learning, will be opening applications for the VocTech Activate grant fund from 6 January to 4 February 2025.

Grants of between £30,000 to £60,000 are available for projects lasting three to 12 months which have the potential to transform how adults gain and maintain the skills they need for work.

Designed specifically to help early-stage ideas, VocTech Activate supports the design, development, testing, and adoption of new digital tools and approaches that could reach learners furthest from opportunity.

To help you prepare your application, Ufi run a series help you prepare your application, Ufi run a series of online workshops to introduce the fund and help ensure it is right for you. Applicants who attend one of our workshops are much more likely to be successful.

Our workshops provide an opportunity to find out more about the scope of this grant call. You will be able to take part in small group discussions with members of the Ufi team to ask any questions you might have.

Try the two minute eligibility checker, book a pre-application online workshop and find the full details of the grant fund at www.ufi.co.uk/activate.

Safeguarding Learners: Understanding and Recognising Adults at Risk
2025-01-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Overview
This 60 minute Safeguarding Awareness webinar will allow delegates to gain an overall insight into safeguarding at an introductory level. This webinar is suitable for all those who require an overview to safeguarding to meet the organisational policy and procedure requirement.
Objectives
This webinar will give delegates an introduction to:

National guidance and procedures;
Categories of abuse;
Ensuring a response of logging and reporting concerns;
Whistleblowing and sharing professional concerns.

Delegates will be aware of the latest guidelines and will learn how to deal with any concerns they have and how to report them.
The carry through benefits for the learners are that they have access to well trained, supportive staff that they can confide in if they have any concerns and who will be able to signpost them to the correct places for further support.
Who should attend this webinar?
This webinar is suitable for all those who work in post 18 education and training provision who have minimal or ad hoc contact with learners.
Facilitator
Carly Spicer, Safeguarding Consultant, ECP

Ufi's VocTech Activate grant fund: Pre-application workshop
2025-01-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Online

Contextualised English, maths & ICT
2025-01-08 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
Embedding English, Maths and ICT is something that many teachers and trainers are aware we should be doing in our planning, but how deep does our understanding and application actually go?

This masterclass is designed to help add some real clarity into ‘why’ and ‘how’ we can embed English, Maths and ICT in our teaching and learning where appropriate. Being able to identify, explain and apply naturally occurring opportunities to embed these key skills throughout our specific sessions and wider curriculum is something that we should all be looking to take advantage of.

This session is ideal for trainers and managers who are looking to increase their knowledge and skillset, specifically in areas of planning. This masterclass is also a very useful CPD session for more experienced teachers, trainers and managers who may be mentoring newer teachers/trainers or carrying out session observations.

This workshop is part of the Solvendis Teaching Excellence Programme, a programme which also includes:

Level 3 Award in Education and Training
Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement
Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training

…and a series of workshops covering topics such as:

Embedding British Values into Planning and Delivery
Contextualised English, Maths and ICT
Inclusive Teaching Practice
Adapting to Teaching Adult Learners

Understanding and embedding the new matrix Standards and accreditation processes
2025-01-08 09:30 - 12:30 | Online
Overview
This online workshop will introduce providers to the rationale and detail of the 2024 matrix Standards and changes to these made compared to the previous standards.
The session aims to allow Providers to develop a deeper understanding of the matrix Standards accreditation and re-accreditation processes and how to plan and prepare.
Providers will be able to apply the stages of the matrix Standards to their quality arrangement and hear about practical approaches and strategies to embed into daily operational processes and practice, aligned to the EIF inspection requirements.
Objectives
This session will help delegates to:

Develop a greater understanding of matrix and effective strategies to embed into governance, leadership, management, and quality arrangements;
Use the strategies discussed to take back to their own organisation and use in planning and preparation for Matrix accreditation/re-accreditation processes;
Consider strategies for embedding the matrix Standards into their quality arrangements aligning stages and processes to the EIF and inspection requirements for good practice.

Who should attend?
This webinar is designed for:

Leadership and management;
Colleagues responsible for preparing and planning for a provider Matrix Standards application and accreditation processes;
Provider careers advice and guidance colleagues;
Curriculum managers;
Senior quality of education practitioners and curriculum sector/vocational leads.

Facilitator
Facilitator: Maureen Deary, FE and Skills and Independent Schools Inspector, Strategic Adviser in Quality
Guest speakers: Roger Chapman, The Growth Company and Sue Gomer, Quality Director, Logistica Training & Consultancy

FIN Working Group - Policy and Research - ESFA Funding
2024-12-17 14:00 - 15:00
Please join us for our third Policy and research group, from this we will be submitting a paper to DfE to try to influence change.

The topic of this round table will be ESFA Funding.FIN members have raised a concern regarding the 50% achievement threshold. Firstly, we fully understand the impact of July’s ESFA instruction that requires providers with less than a 50% Qualification Achievement Rate (QAR) for an individual standard in 2023/24 to stop new starts in that apprenticeship programme. FIN members have raised serious concerns about how this would impact on a provider’s strategic planning, business development and cashflow.

If you require any support with booking please contact info@fin-online.org.uk

Events – Fellowship of Inspection Nominees (fin-online.org.uk)

Power BI for Apprenticeship and Training Providers
2024-12-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Overview
This Power BI Data Analytics session is the perfect opportunity to enhance your business’s performance through cutting-edge data analytics.
Unlock the full potential of business intelligence reporting and create visually stunning dashboards for your team and stakeholders.
Objectives
This webinar will help delegates to:

Master advanced Power BI formulas and functions;
Implement Power Query for effective data transformation;
Develop interactive dashboards to visualise complex data insights.

Who should attend?
This webinar is designed for:

Heads of;
MDs / CEOs;
Managers leading delivery staff such as tutors, teachers and coaches;
Quality managers;
Curriculum leads;
Directors.

Facilitator
Shivam Deva, Finance Data Technician Mentor, EMA Training Ltd
Click here to find out more information or to register.
