9.30 - 9.45
Welcome - Conference Chair

9.45 – 10.45
Opening plenary: Building world class skills
The recent Leitch report put forward an ambitious vision that the UK must become a world leader in skills with a particular focus on adults. This highlights the need for work based learning and the range of tools and techniques that can be deployed to support this. Much of learning at work is informal which challenges the learning professional to consider how this might be encouraged and supported without loosing that sense of ownership and self direction that is the essence of such informality. This opening session looks at the implications of the Leitch review for the professional learning and development community. Through an open forum it will seek the views of delegates to obtain a common understanding of the issues and future approaches. Finally we will review the issues raised where there is a practical need for continual updating and building of skills in the demanding environment that is the BBC where online and informal techniques have been deployed successfully.

• Conference Chair

10.45 - 11.15
Refreshment/Networking break

11.15 - 12.00
Streamed Sessions One

Choice of:

Work based learning - it’s all about support

OR

Case Study 1: A Partnership Approach to Developing and Accrediting Work Based Learning

Work based learning - it’s all about support
The evidence is mounting that effective support of learners by managers and coaches is key to success. So where are the best practice examples? Effective support has been an integral component of the Ufi/learndirect model with a huge and diverse set of distributed learners. Sara Bingham, Learning and Technology Manager, at Ufi/learndirect’ will review key lessons learned and share some practical practice on how to transfer these models to a work environment.

Recent advancements in technology provide new means to develop, deliver, and support. Which ones work and are worth using? Stephen Walsh, Kineo partner, will share case studies and examples of how new technologies and methods can enhance the work-based learning experience including:

• Work-based, informal, web 2.0, e-learning 2.0 - where's the intersection?
• Technology options available to the work-based learner and learning designer
• Using podcasts to reach your learners on the fly
• Effective support of learners through open source LMS

• Stephen Walsh, Kineo Partner
• Sara Bingham, Learning and Technology Manager, Ufi/learndirect

Case Study 1: A Partnership Approach to Developing and Accrediting Work Based Learning
This session looks at partnerships to deliver work based learning and takes as an example an approach developed by Middlesex University Business School; Value Projects Limited and Lloyds TSB Asset Finance Division. The resulting leadership development programme is built around 'Action Leadership Questions' which are formulated in action learning sets and discussed and shared at scheduled workshops where managers are introduced to various models of leadership; but these are driven by the ALQs. The 'structure' of the programme and basis for assessment is built around 'ALQ Terms of Reference Forms' which are assessed according to a set of detailed criteria:

• Bob Collingham, Head of Development Programmes, Lloyds TSB Asset Finance Division
• Dr Peter Critten, Principal Lecturer, Middlesex University Business School
• Prof Jonathan Garnett, Director Centre for Excellence in Work Based Learning, Middlesex University
• Richard Hale, Value Projects Ltd

12.05 - 12.50
Streamed Sessions Two

Choice of:

The Role and Importance of Coaching in Work Based Learning

OR

The International Perspective

The Role and Importance of Coaching in Work Based Learning
As Coaching is primarily about improving skills and performance for a current job or career advancement, it is essential to see how it can play an integral part in work-based learning. Recent research indicates the effectiveness and importance of coaching as a culture where there is a parallel focus on improving both the people and the organisation. With coaching as support to work based learning in organisations, it is a significant step in achieving the goal of becoming a world leader in skills.

• Brenda Halliwell – mh associates

The International Perspective
The UK has an enviable reputation internationally for pioneering innovation in a range of techniques to provide learning opportunities no matter when or where a learner needs access. With such a leading position the global market place offers tremendous opportunities for the UK’s learning and development sector. UK Trade & Investment is the Government organisation that supports companies in the UK trading internationally; it’s role is to help them realise their international business potential through knowledge transfer and on-going partnership support. This session will review the help available and conclude with a case study of a recent model scoping visit to an overseas market.

• Richard Parry, Head of Unit - Education & Skills, UK Trade & Investment
• Graham Snape, Education and Training Sector Specialist International Trade Adviser, Team South East, part of UK Trade & Investment.
• Mike Long, mla associates

12.50 - 14.00
Lunch & Networking

14.00 - 14.45
Streamed Sessions Three

Choice of:

Case Study 2: Learning Through Work - Structures and Qualifications

OR

Train to Gain

Case Study 2: Learning Through Work - Structures and Qualifications
Work based learning can offer programmes at many levels. What are the options for higher education qualifications? How can you ensure that your trainers are qualified to deliver appropriate and effective learning programmes? This session shares experiences from the learndirect programme which offers individuals ways of gaining higher education qualifications and a case study from the Carphone Warehouse Group.

The learndirect programme operates through a network of partner universities and colleges and offers qualifications ranging from undergraduate certificates to honours degrees. The Carphone Warehouse is a highly diverse telecoms business employing 15000 people across 12 countries. It needed relevant qualifications for its Training Managers drawn from across Europe.

This session offers a unique insight in the results achieved from both programmes.

• Judith Saxton, 'Learning through Work Manager', Ufi/learndirect
• Darren Bezani, Group Training Manager, Carphone Warehouse Group plc

Train to Gain
This session introduces a new service that links approved providers with organisations that need training to help them succeed. 'Train to Gain' can help businesses improve their productivity and competitiveness by ensuring that staff have the right skills for their job. Training is either fully or partly funded and may be delivered in the work place. Only approved providers may be involved in the service which offers employers the opportunity to identify their training needs, pinpoint the most appropriate solutions and agree a funded tailored training package.

• David Greer, Skills Director - Support to Business, Learning and Skills Council

14.50 – 15.30
Closing Keynote

Creating e-Quality: Harnessing Technology to Develop Skills
Becta leads the national drive to improve learning through the use of technology. It works in partnership to implement the post 16 e-learning strategy and as such is positioned to have a major role in strategic and implementation issues arising from the Leitch review. In this concluding session Jane Williams will review the major themes that will underpin the future success and direction of work based learning and the implications for the wider learning and development community.

• Jane Williams, Executive Director for Further Education, Skills and Regeneration, Becta

Close of Conference