From Classroom to Career: Bridging Skills for the Modern Workforce

Free Breakfast Seminar – From Classroom to Career: Bridging Skills for the Modern Workforce

Wednesday 12th February

Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking breakfast seminar focused on the roles of educational and business leaders in preparing the next generation for the changing world of work.

This event, hosted in partnership with Hays Education, will explore the challenges and opportunities in equipping young people with the skills, values, and attitudes they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving employment landscape.

We know that new technologies, demographic shifts, and environmental changes are predicted to transform jobs over the coming decades. As industries evolve, creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, and resilience become essential for employability. Yet, a recent Talking Futures report highlights significant concerns: over half of teenagers aged 11-18 feel anxious about entering the workforce, and many parents worry their children lack the communication and organisational skills needed to thrive in future careers.

This seminar will delve into what we mean by “employability skills” and what industry leaders are telling us about the skills and attributes they need in future employees. Together, we’ll explore what it truly means for young people to be career-ready and discuss how businesses, schools, and colleges can work in partnership to close the gap between education and employment.

We are excited to welcome to the panel representatives from the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, as well as Trust and college leaders, who will share their experiences of fostering effective partnerships with local businesses and investing in impactful careers guidance for students. This is an opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from innovative practices, and explore how employability skills can be embedded across curricula and wider school and college life.

Panel:

Daniel Locke-Wheaton CMgr FCMI: Exec Principal at Aston University Engineering Academy, Aston University Sixth Form and Aston University Mathematics School. Dan holds an Executive MBA from Aston University and a National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership.

Kate Tague: Chief Executive – BOA Group, Previously Chief Executive of WMG Academy Trust, local authority advisor and project manager for awarding body, Pearson.

Emily Stubbs: Head of Policy at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. Co-Author of the West Midlands & Warwickshire Local Skills Improvement Plan(LSIP), a statutory document funded by the Department for Education.

Dr Carl Ward: Chief Executive – City Learning Trust, Founder & Chair of the Foundation for Education Development (FED). Former President of the Association of School & College Leaders (ASCL) and previously Chair of the Careers & Enterprise Company’s Education Advisory Board.

Date: Wednesday 12th February
Time: 8.00 – 10.30am
Location: Aston University Engineering Academy Sixth Form, 2 Lister Street, Birmingham, B7 4AG


Join us for this free seminar and contribute your insights on how we can collectively prepare young people for success in a dynamic labour market. 

Woohoo!

Thanks for signing up

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.