PeoplePlus at the Adult Skills Conference: Skills, Partnerships and Practical Action
June 05, 2025Posted by:
On 4 June, PeoplePlus attended and spoke at the first Adult Skills Conference in Birmingham. The event brought together training providers, commissioners, and employers to discuss the current state and future direction of adult skills in the UK.
Our team showcased our Social Recruitment, LearningPlus and Social Value work at the exhibition stand, where we were able. to speak directly with others working in adult education and employment support, share ideas, and talk about what’s working.
Laura Savage, Director for Partner & Social Value Services at PeoplePlus, delivered an 'impact' session focussing on how social value can be embedded into adult skills delivery in a way that supports individuals into work and meets employer needs. Laura spoke about the development of the Social Recruitment Framework (SRF) and its focus on helping employers with national recruitment needs access local training. Since its launch, the SRF has supported over 10,500 people into work. The panel session was chaired by the Social Recruitment Advocacy Group Chair, the Rt.Hon Anne Milton, former Skills Minister and also included:
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Lee Kirton from Northern College, who highlighted the role of FE providers in regional labour markets.
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Matthew Howe from BT Group, who explained how BT uses adult skills provision to meet business needs while supporting local communities.
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Lisa Nixon FIEP from AKG who her shared reflections and observations from across the sector.
Our top takeaways from the event:
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Partnerships remain essential - Most organisations are still looking for better ways to work across provider, employer and support service boundaries.
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Access to training is still uneven - There was a shared interest in improving how employers connect with local training, particularly when working across different regions or devolved authorities.
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The link between employment and adult skills is strengthening - Conversations increasingly focused on practical employment outcomes rather than standalone qualifications.
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The need for coordination - Attendees were looking for ways to make fragmented services more joined-up, whether through frameworks like SRF or closer relationships between employers and providers.
Policy and Funding Insights - staying ahead of changes in adult skills funding and policy is essential for adapting our services and advising our clients effectively
Final Thoughts
From our SRF Account Manager, Louise, who was at the event, summing it up perfectly: "The event reminded me of the shared passion in our sector for changing lives through skills and education. It was inspiring to hear success stories and reaffirm why our work matters. I left the event feeling genuinely proud to be part of the PeoplePlus team and the vital work we do every day to support individuals in achieving their potential."
Thank you to everyone who visited our stand or joined the panel discussion. Events like this help keep the conversation moving and highlight where further collaboration is needed.
To find out more about the Social Recruitment Framework or how we work with providers and employers email us [email protected] or connect with us on LinkedIn
June 05, 2025Posted by:
