The conference provided an opportunity for participants to engage in informed discussion with leading individuals from across the post 14 education and training sector on the key issues of the day.

Keynote Speakers included :

•  John Griffiths AM, Deputy Minister for Skills, Welsh Assembly Government
•  Baroness Estelle Morris, Chair of Strategy Board, Institute for Effective Education, University of York and a Question time session with: 
• Sir Adrian Webb, Chair of the Independent Review of the Mission and Purpose of Further Education in Wales

To view presentions click here:

Seminars  - MORNING

The Webb FE Review and Skills Strategy – implications for providers

What are the implications of the FE Review and the new Skills Strategy for the post 14 education and training sector? How will Wales’ view on skills compare with the Leitch agenda? This seminar will hear from Welsh Assembly Government officials and from providers who will be responsible for driving forward this agenda in Wales.

Dr Dennis Gunning, Director of Lifelong Learning and Skills Group, DCELLS (31.91 kB)
David Jones, Principal Deeside College (246.24 kB)
Andrew Cooksley, Managing Director ACT Ltd (141.5 kB)

From Compliance to excellence – the improvement journey

The challenge for all educational institutions is to continuously improve the quality of education. This seminar will provide an opportunity for providers to outline the key steps that they have taken to improve the quality of education in their institution.

Nick Bennett, Principal Gorseinon College (55.83 kB)
Bethan Guilfoyle, Headteacher Treorchy Comprehensive School (129.74 kB)
Arwyn Watkins, Managing Director Cambrian Training Company

Seminars - AFTERNOON

A view from Wales and England on the 14-19 agenda

The seminar will consider key challenges to the effective implementation of the 14-19 agenda and the Welsh Bac within Wales taking into account the new employerled qualifications being developed as part of the diploma in England.

Mark Leighfield, 14-19 Learning Pathways Co-ordinator, DCELLS
Paul Oliver, Vocational Qualifications Adviser, DCELLS (71.4 kB)
Geoff Stanton, Education Consultant (81.02 kB)

Tri level reform: Local, regional and national – how will this work in the post 14 sector?

Research indicates that effective achievement of improved outcomes for learners is closely linked to tri-level reform, i.e. the whole education community working collaboratively. The Assembly Government is developing a School Effectiveness programme to deliver such reform. But how will tri level effectiveness translate to the post 14 education and training sector? This seminar will consider the role of the new Area Improvement Teams and receive views from stakeholders and practitioners.

Mike Hopkins, Head of Learning & Network Development Division, DCELLS (206.26 kB)
John Graystone, Chief Executive fforwm (107.9 kB)
Terry Jones, Managing Director North Wales Training (520.56 kB)

Effective partnership working - a view from Wales and Scotland

According to a recent Estyn report, leaders and managers are struggling to meet the significant challenges in developing strategic partnerships and multi-agency ways of working. The Webb review into the Mission and Purpose of Further Education in Wales is also considering the issue of effective collaboration. This seminar will hear views on effective partnership arrangements from the Welsh and Scottish inspectorates and listen to a regional perspective on partnership in action.

Ann Keane, Head of Inspection Directorate: Education Providers, Estyn (70.41 kB)
Karl Napieralla, Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong learning, Neath Port Talbot CBC
Peter Connelly, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education in Scotland (454.05 kB)