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#183 – Skills

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Hello! Welcome to the sixth and final episode of our “What Matters in Edtech” series, supported by Bett. Thank you to Pearson for sponsoring this week’s episode. 

This series is all about the things that matter in education, and how and when tech might help. In this series, we are looking at themes that shape Bett’s conference programme in 2020: 

You can follow the conversation using #Edtechpodcast and #Bett2020

What’s in this episode?

This episode was recorded LIVE at #Bett2020 and is all about skills. We take a top-level view of the skills agenda both here and internationally, looking into why there is a disconnect between education and skills requirements and where the UK stands on solving this issue compared to the rest of the world. We then drill into some of the vocational learning experiences which are attempting to take on the skills gap. 

Happy Listening! And, as we wrap up this “What Matters in Edtech” series, do send in your highlights in the comments below or record a quick free voicemail via speakpipe. We’d love to share your thoughts!

People

Sophie Bailey is the Founder and Presenter of The Edtech Podcast

Sophie is the founder of the iTunes new and noteworthy, The Edtech Podcast. The mission of The Edtech Podcast is to improve the dialogue between ‘ed’ and ‘tech’ for better innovation, through storytelling. The podcast is downloaded 2000+ times a week, from over 145 countries with the UK, US & Aus in the top 3. Sophie is a mentor and advisor within the edtech community. If she’s not interviewing a University Lecturer, School Leader, Ex-Angry Bird, NGO, or Investor about education innovation, she’s chasing her son around the park or binge-reading Homo Deus.   Twitter: @podcastedtech

Cindy Rampersaud, Senior Vice President, BTEC and Apprenticeships, Pearson UK

Cindy is currently Senior Vice President, BTEC and Apprenticeships at Pearson Education where she is responsible for the development of all Pearson’s UK technical, vocational and apprenticeship qualifications which are delivered to over one million learners a year. Cindy moved into the education sector in 2011 when she took up the role of Deputy Principal at City & Islington College. In 2016 she was appointed a Deputy Further Education Commissioner by the Department for Education working on the Government’s review of the Further Education sector nationally. Before moving into the education sector Cindy held a number of senior roles in the entertainment media sector including roles at EMI, Warner Brothers and Virgin. Cindy is passionate about the vital role education and skills based learning can play in helping individuals make progress in their lives but also in driving economic growth and productivity. She has a particular interest in the increasing role of technology in providing access to education and lifelong learning including how it can innovate what we learn and how we learn. Cindy is a member of the Commission on Sustainable Learning and she currently sits on the board of The Speakers Trust and is an honorary lifetime member of The Children’s Society having served as a Trustee for 8 years. Twitter: @RampersaudCindy

Sarah Taunton, Acting Head of Pathways and Enrichment, Ark

Sarah currently oversees a series of programmes, working through and with schools in the Ark network, to provide support and opportunities that enable students to select, secure and succeed in their future pathways. These programmes are designed to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, can be ambitious about their post-school destinations. Sarah has also led on developing the vocational curriculum at Ark.

Before working at Ark, Sarah was a teacher in South London, holding a series of leadership positions. She has also worked in advisory roles in the education technology sector, working with schools on a variety of school improvement initiatives focussed on teaching, learning and assessment. Twitter: @SERTaunton

Ben Blackledge, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, WorldSkills UK

Having held senior policy roles within government and not for profit organisations, Ben is responsible for driving WorldSkills UK’s programme of work both in the UK and internationally. Working in partnership with representatives from government, industry and education, he leads on the UK-wide initiative to embed skills competitions methodology into apprenticeship and training programmes, raising standards and ensuring more young people are being equipped with the right skills to help businesses better compete globally.    

Overseeing the programme of national skills competitions, Ben also ensures that the UK remains at the forefront of international skills development in his role of Technical Delegate at WorldSkills Europe and WorldSkills.  Twitter: @BenBlackledge1

Helen Hall, UK Recruitment & Partnerships Director, Oxford Brookes University (University Alliance member)

Experienced higher education professional with a background in widening participation and student recruitment. Particular focus on partnership working including relationship management at a senior level. Twitter: @HelenLHall

Quotes from this week’s episode

References from this week’s episode

Thank you to Bett for supporting the What Matters in Edtech series

The What matters in Edtech Series is produced by The Edtech Podcast and supported by Bett. For more skills content check out the BETT 2020 programme where skills was a key theme. Register here.  To search across all events, browse across our global events calendar. 

Bett

Bett is the first industry show of the year in the education technology landscape, bringing together over 800 leading companies, 103 exciting new EdTech startups and over 34,000 attendees. People from over 146 countries in the global education community come together to celebrate, find inspiration and discuss the future of education, as well as seeing how technology and innovation enable educators and learners to thrive.  Each year our CPD-accredited seminar programme provides over 300 hours of workshops, talks and discussions addressing the most prominent issues in education, delivered by the people who are leading change and innovation. Find out more and register today:  https://www.bettshow.com/.

And a big thank you to Pearson for sponsoring this episode

This episode of the EdTech Podcast is sponsored by Pearson, the world’s learning company.

In a world of increasing change and technological advancement, the need for people to have transferable skills is more important than ever. Aligned to the future of skills and employability, Pearson BTEC prepares learners for the future world of work by providing them the knowledge, technical and transferable skills they need to be successful in their careers and in their lives.

For more information about BTEC qualifications, visit btecworks.com

Tell us where you are listening in from

We’d love to hear about innovative technology or approaches you are developing or using in adult education. Leave your stories in the comments below. Alternatively, record a quick free voicemail via speakpipe for inclusion in the next episode. Finally, you can post your thoughts or follow-on links via twitter @podcastedtech or via The Edtech Podcast Facebook page.

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