Our annual parliamentary reception, held at the prestigious House of Lords on Wednesday, 27 November, celebrated a year of remarkable achievements and showcased the positive impact we’ve made on the Further Education and Skills sector.
A Year of Growth and Impact
The reception highlighted our significant growth across the sector:
From expanding Access to Education through online learning via Pearl Tech, we have enabled over 3,000 students to pursue Access to HE diplomas flexibly, breaking down barriers to higher education.
Through Skills and Education Group Awards, we have recognised the achievements of 26,710 learners and issued 16,981 certificates. This means we proudly claimed the top spot as the leading awarding organisation for Fashion and Textiles, MOT Testing, and Youth Work qualifications.
Through BIIAB we have continued to support the hospitality sector, with 87,657 registrations and 73,328 certificates issued for industry-specific courses and qualifications.
Our “Let’s Go Further” Podcast, produced in collaboration with FE Week, reached over 3,000 downloads and provided insightful discussions and industry insights, putting important topics under the spotlight.
The Skills and Education Group’s charitable foundation played a crucial role in social mobility:
-
Funding Student Success: Over £80,000 was allocated to support 365 learners, primarily at levels 1-3, enabling them to continue their studies.
-
Enhancing Curriculum and Pedagogy: The foundation collaborated with 120 teaching staff, 12 stakeholder organisations, and 424 learners to improve curriculum design and teaching practices.
-
Investing in Learning Environments: Nearly £12,000 was provided to enhance learning environments for over 2,300 learners and 150 staff, equipping them with essential materials and equipment.
Key Speakers
The event featured insightful speeches, including The Rt Honourable Lord David Blunkett, our special guest and host of our reception at the House of Lords, who said:
The message this afternoon is together, we can really make a difference. Your missions at Skills and Education Group are opportunity, transformation and social mobility, and these three things go together and are a critical objective that we can all work towards together."
Scott Forbes, Deputy CEO, addressed attendees next and said:
“I am particularly proud of the work of our foundation, which continues to grow from strength to strength… and our reach, which extends far beyond the UK, and I want to take this moment to thank our staff for their unwavering support.”
Yultan Mellor, New Interim Chief Executive of Skills and Education Group, spoke passionately as she told guests.
I’m all about enabling opportunities through education. As you will all know, Skills and Education Group has been widening participation for over 100 years, enabling people to access education who might not have otherwise had that opportunity.
Finally, Sir John Hayes addressed delegates and invited them to continue championing the sector. He said,
“As the new government shapes its agenda, it’s vitally important that we put skills, practical learning, and further education at the core of it.”
Our speakers inspired and motivated attendees, reaffirming the group’s commitment to excellence in Further Education and social mobility.
Our Passion Remains Strong
The event was incredibly positive and uplifting. As we look to the future, Skills and Education Group remains committed to its mission of supporting learners, upskilling the workforce, and addressing skills gaps. Our dedicated staff and innovative initiatives aim to make an even more significant impact in the years to come.
The Speeches
Explore all the Speeches from our 2024 Parliamentary Reception
You can explore all the photos from the event here.
(Credit: Dave George at George Creative Agency)
Explore our Awarding Organisation
Skills and Education Group Awards
