Improving work readiness in London

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Elisabeth Baines, Senior Funding Development Manager at the Education Funding Agency is speaking at a work readiness event in London on 1 March, tackling the issue of youth unemployment through education.

National Awarding Organisation NCFE, is hosting the event at the The Guoman Tower hotel, to support colleges and training providers in preparing learners for work.

The event will look at employability qualifications and solutions for all ages, as well as taking a closer look at the new Study Programme and other priorities the 16-19 market is facing in the coming years. Nick Linford, Managing Director of Lsect and FE Week, is another key speaker at the event, and will deliver a funding and policy update to delegates.

The event comes in the light of new research collated by the further education (FE) sector which has found that small to medium sized businesses are increasingly valuing recruits who have been to college. The same study has revealed that 86% of companies believe that having staff with vocational qualifications leads to better business performance.

NCFE Chief Executive, David Grailey, commented, “For many people, getting their foot on the first rung of the career ladder is the most important, yet hardest, step to take. Competition for jobs is so fierce that it’s a step which around one million young people have failed to make when leaving education.

“We want to give young people the best chance when entering the labour market; that’s why we’re supporting colleges and training providers in providing quality employability education to give job seekers the broad, transferable skills and mindset that employers are looking for.”

NCFE offers a range of Preparation for Life and Work qualifications including Employability Skills, Job Search and Interview Skills, Getting on at Work, Personal Effectiveness at Work, Occupational Studies, Learning to Learn and many more.