The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) has announced a series of five workshops around the theme of innovation. Aimed at leaders in the FE and Skills sector, the ‘Leading Innovation’ series aims to support the implementation and embedding of projects that will improve outcomes for learners. The face-to-face, all-day events are being hosted on behalf of the ETF by expert partners.
The first session – Thinking Differently; a framework for successful regional partnership – will be in Birmingham on Friday 10 November and led by HOLEX/AAETO. Aimed at Adult Community Education managers, the session has been co-designed in conjunction with Combined Authority contacts. It will focus on fostering innovation and promoting practical solutions, sharing insights and experiences, creating a collective vision for a collaborative/efficient ACE sector, and developing a robust framework to support institutions/ensure a smooth transition.
For details, including how to book, visit the ETF booking website.
The second session – Thinking Differently for Culture and Systems Change – will take place in Birmingham on Friday 24 November. Led by Touch Consulting Ltd, it is aimed at senior leaders who want to move beyond good intentions to sustainable change, by cultivating an ethical leadership that is radically candid and fuelled by thinking differently. Anchored by four very practical approaches to changemaking, the session will delve into FE systems/culture change and the pivotal role played by trust, ease and responsible risk.
For details, including how to book, visit the ETF booking website.
The third session – Leading and thriving in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) World – takes place at Warwick University on Monday 4 December. Led by GatenbySanderson, it will tackle common traps that create barriers to change, the concept of disruption and its role in driving change, different types of innovation, and how the ’ten types of innovation’ model can be used as a diagnostic and planning tool. This session is aimed at senior leaders and managers with responsibility for leading change.
For details, including how to book, visit the ETF booking website.
Taking place at the USP College Xtend Digital Campus at Canvey Island in Essex on Tuesday 5 December, the fourth session – Thinking Differently, Thinking Digitally – is aimed at leaders who have some understanding and awareness of developments in digital technology who wish to learn more about how to successfully develop and embed a digital strategy. Led by FE Associates, it will examine the digital options available to organisations, provide insight into the impact of digital transformation on learners and staff, and look at the experiences of an organisation that is leading the way in digital transformation.
For details, including how to book, visit the ETF booking website.
The fifth session of the series – Creating a Culture of Wellbeing – takes place at the University of Portsmouth on Wednesday 6 December. Aimed at Senior Leaders in the FE and Skills sector, this session will help participants think about, design, plan and adopt innovative approaches to their strategic direction, equipping them with the relevant skills and tools to make effective change within their organisation. Looking beyond basic policy and employee assistance programmes, the session will consider wider and impactful approaches to wellbeing that nurture a more motivated workforce, increase staff retention and reduce sickness absence.
For details, including how to book, visit the ETF booking website.
These five sessions constitute the Winter series of the ‘Leading Innovation’ workshops. Further events will take place in Summer 2024. The series is part of a wider offer of support for leadership across the FE and Skills sector. Details are available on the leadership programmes page of the ETF website.