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ESF at WorldSkills UK – The Skills Show in Birmingham: 15-17 November

The Skills Show

Launched in 2012, WorldSkills UK – The Skills Show will be the UK’s biggest skills and careers event, with around 100,000 people expected to attend.

Held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, The Skills Show is particularly targeted at young people aged 16-24 years of age, including those not currently in education, employment or training (NEET). It offers visitors a unique chance to "Have a Go" at dozens of new skills, meet employers, get independent advice and learn more about career opportunities including apprenticeships.

Throughout the three day event, running from 15-17 November, visitors will also be able to view over 50 skills competitions recognising high performing students in a range of vocational skills including:

• Built environment – such as construction and landscaping
• IT and business services
• Engineering
• Cultural and creative arts – such as web and games design
• Social and professional services – such as care work, floristry, hairdressing and beauty.

In addition, there will be:

• Spotlight sessions – where industry leaders and vocational trainers will provide inside knowledge on what it takes to succeed in that sector
• Showcase events – where colleges and providers give young people the opportunity to showcase their skills
• Exhibitions – where colleges, providers and employers can promote their training and employment opportunities.

ESF at The Skills Show

The 2007-2013 England European Social Fund (ESF) programme’s £2.5 billion investment in jobs and skills will be showcased to a wide audience – as part of the event’s high profile demonstration of excellence in skills and learning.

Over the three days, an ESF exhibition area comprising 30 ESF funded training providers from across the country will provide engaging interactive activities, plus expert guidance, advice and support about a wide range of vocational skills and job opportunities. These will draw attention to how ESF is engaging and transforming the lives of those most disadvantaged in the labour market.

They will be supported by a joint stand providing information on how ESF is used and its impact. This will comprise of representatives from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP – the England ESF Managing Authority) and ESF-Works (the showcase and forum for policy and practice lessons from the ESF programme in England).

In addition, there are two ESF conference seminars on Thursday 15 November to showcase effective practice from the ESF programme. The first focuses on measures to support young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), with presentations from the DWP, European Commission, Education Funding Agency and two organisations delivering ESF training provision.

The second seminar looks at effective practice in the ESF cross-cutting themes of equal opportunities and sustainable development, including the presentation of national Mainstreaming Leader award certificates to the six winners by Angus Gray, Head of ESF Division in DWP and Dimtcho Tourdanov from the European Commission.

Each 2012 ESF award winner (listed below) will give a short presentation about the effective practices they have implemented and lessons learned.

• ESF Gender Equality Leader Award – The AIM Partnership: lead partner West Mercia Probation Trust.
• Equal Opportunities Specialist Project Leader Award – The Veteran’s Employment Skills Project (VESP): lead partner – Northumbria Probation Trust.
• Equal Opportunities Mainstreaming Leader (Policy and Plan) Leader Award – Inclusion Cornwall.
• ESF Sustainable Development Specialist Project Leader Award (Joint Winners):
  • Elixir Group’s `Elixir of Life’ project; and
  • Work This Way’s `Waste Works’ project
• ESF Sustainable Development Mainstreaming Leader (Policy and Plan) Leader Award – Impact Housing Association’s Greenways to Work project.

There will also be measures to increase participation by ESF participants and ESF target groups at some local events taking place across the country up to March 2013. These will particularly focus on young people from disadvantaged areas, including those who are NEET or at risk of becoming so.

Highlights from The Skills Show event, including the seminars and interviews with the Mainstreaming Leader award winners will appear shortly on this website and on the ESF-Works website.

Attending the Skills Show

If you wish to attend The Skills Show please visit The Skills Show website or telephone the event’s helpline: 0845 475 1500.