Vocational skills vital to the UK’s growth

This year I was lucky enough to be invited to not only attend The Skills Show at the NEC in Birmingham, but I was also invited to the Opening Ceremony.  The Skills Show is the UK’s largest skills and career event and covered the space of 7 football pitches this year!  It showcased the fantastic skills that we have in the UK (over 700 UK finalists were competing in the World Skills Competition), as well as the opportunities available to develop these skills – from Further Education to apprenticeships.  For me, it created a truly inspiring atmosphere.

Celebrating vocational skills

The representation of apprenticeships, and other forms of vocational training at The Skills Show, was phenomenal. Watching the World Skills finalists compete was amazing – such talent!  The five skill areas on show were the Built Environment, Cultural & Creative Arts, Engineering, IT & Business Administration and Social & Professional Services. What I found really refreshing was the opportunity to get involved and try out the different skills, from optometry to broadcasting with the BBC, floristry to forensic science, and cake decorating to house building! There was also the opportunity to attend a “Spotlight Speaker” session, hosted not only by industry leaders but also by apprentices, giving a real life take on what it is actually like to be working and earning whilst training.

Shaping the UK’s skills future

Having worked in the Leonardo team for five years now I am a true advocate of Vocational Education and Training. It’s encouraging to think that events such as The Skills Show will continue to shape the UK’s skills future.

Erasmus+, the new EU programme for education, training, youth and sport, which starts on 1 January 2014, will have a strong focus on skills and employability.  The new programme will build on the success of the Leonardo da Vinci programme to develop not only the competencies of individuals throughout Europe but it will also broaden their understanding of the policy and practices that underpin their learning.  It’s unbelievable to think that Erasmus+ will enable over 650,000 vocational students across Europe to complete  part of their education and/or training abroad over the course of the next 7 years!

For more information on Erasmus+ in the UK, go to www.erasmusplus.org.uk and subscribe to our blog for updates.

About our author
Thank you to Lauren Beech who wrote this week’s skills focus post. Lauren is a Senior Project Manager in the Leonardo Mobility team.