Increasing economic participation through sustainable employment is a key
priority work area (2006-2010) in Learning for Living and Work, the Learning and
Skills Council's (LSC) national strategy to improve education and training
opportunities for people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities:
The LSC's ambition in this area is far reaching and reflects the
Government's wider intervention strategy to deliver the skills and access to
in-work support needed to enhance disabled people’s employability (LSC, 2006).
A national and regional employability agenda In May 2007 a national conference on the Further Education (FE) system and
employability for adults with disabilities was chaired by Chris Banks, LSC Chairman. It produced an agenda for taking this work forward. This agenda
included:
engaging with employers on a regional and local level and gaining a
practical experience of what it means to be employer-led
developing flexible funding arrangements that recognise job outcomes as a
successful outcome and support collaborative working for employability work
amongst providers within the Learning and Skills sector, but also amongst
wider parties in other agencies
recognising achievements of learners at Entry Level and way up to Level 2
and beyond
developing a better understanding of Supported Employment and the
Supported Employment model
a focus on employability and people with mental health difficulties
embedding support mechanisms for learners with disabilities engaged in
vocational provision rather than having bolt-on arrangements
further development of the Foundation Learning Tier to ensure a stronger
focus on employability skills.
The regional Learning for Living and Work strategy, Learning for Living
and Working in London, June 2007, sets out how the region is moving forward
with the vision set out in the national strategy. This conference will provide
an opportunity to hear about work happening in the region in the key priority
area of employability and learners with disabilities and discuss some of the key
issues identified in the employability agenda.
This conference will:
provide an update on national developments, including the Government's
Strategy "Progression through Partnership" on the role of further education
and training in supporting disabled people to achieve fulfilling lives
review national and regional LSC progress on the priority area 'increasing
economic participation through sustainable employment' for disabled learners
during 2006-2007 and learn about current interesting practice developing in
this area of work in the region
explore further the "Supported Employment Model", an LSC requirement by
2010
consider specific employability issues for learners with mental health
difficulties
explore the learner and employer perspective
propose ideas and develop plans for taking this work forward.
Welcome from the chair and from
the region
Peter Little OBE, Chair of 'Through Inclusion to Excellence'
10:10
The Learner Voice Learners talking about work
What do learners need - a challenge to think about?
10:20
The regional context David Hughes, Regional Director, LSC London
10:35
Learners with Learning
Difficulties and/or Disabilities:
Enhancing Employability in London
Caroline Allen, Principal of Orchard Hill College and Chair of the London
Strategic Advisory Group for LLDD
10:50
The Employer Voice: what
employers want and what they can do
11:00
Questions to speakers
11:10
Tea/coffee break
11:30
Workshops showcasing regional
activity to support the employability agenda
12:30
Lunch
13:30
Improving employment
opportunities for people with mental health difficulties Kathryn James, NIACE Development Officer, Learning and Health
13:45
The Supported Employment
perspective British Association for Supported Employment
14:00
Linking Colleges with Supported
Employment
Gareth Parry - Head of Learning, Remploy
14:15
Workshops repeated
15:15
Plenary session - review of the
day and next steps
Peter Little OBE, Chair
15:30
Close of conference
(tea/coffee available)
This programme is correct at the time of going to press.
The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the published programme in
the event of one or more of the advertised speakers being unable to attend.
Delegates will have no claim against NIACE in respect of such changes.