Sponsored by City & Guilds, and supported by National Infrastructure Commission Wales and Serco
The focus of the convention was on the impact of global changes such as the transition to a low carbon economy, the disruptive nature of AI and automation and what an ageing population means for Wales’ workforce.
Speakers:
- Angharad Lloyd Beynon, Senior Policy, Stakeholder and Partnerships Manager, City & Guilds
- Isaac Fabb, 2024 Inspire! Adult Learning Award winner
- Dr Luke Sibieta, Research Fellow, Education Policy Institute
- Stephen Evans, Chief Executive, Learning and Work Institute
- Rhys Morris, Managing Director, The Busy Group/IEP
- Sam Kurtz, Shadow Minister for the Economy, Welsh Conservatives
- Megan Cooper, Sales Director for Employment and Skills, Serco
- Simon Pirotte OBE, Chief Executive, Medr
- Calvin Jones, Professor of Economics, Cardiff Business School
- Jen Baxter, Deputy Chair, National Infrastructure Commission for Wales
- Dr Jennifer Rudd, Programme Manager and Senior Lecturer, Swansea University/Net Zero 2035
- Kev Jones, Project Account Manager, Ufi VocTech Trust
Presentations
25 September 2026
Why lifelong learning is good for people and workplaces
Learning is something that continues throughout our lives. Whether it is developing skills for work, improving digital confidence, learning from colleagues or exploring a new interest, every learning experience can contribute to our personal and professional development.
22 September 2026
Unlock potential with lifelong learning
As we celebrate Adult Learners’ Week, it is an opportunity to recognise that lifelong learning has never been more important for the future success of North Wales. Learning does not stop when we leave school, college or university. In today’s ever-evolving economy, developing new skills throughout our lives is essential for helping people build confidence, adapt to changes, progress in their careers and take advantage of new opportunities.
11 August 2026
Delivering local work and health programmes: Top tips
These top tips share practical lessons on designing, delivering and evaluating local work and health programmes. They are designed for local and regional policy, delivery, data and evaluation teams, and senior decision makers.
24 July 2026
Welsh Government: Skills Audit for Wales
Learning and Work Institute Cymru has been commissioned by Welsh Government to undertake a Skills Audit for Wales to identify the skills needed now and in the coming years to support and grow the Welsh economy. What is the Skills Audit for Wales? The last formal skills audit in Wales took place in 2012 and since then the skills landscape has changed […]
13 January 2026
Labour Market Evidence Programme
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has commissioned the Institute for Employment Studies, in partnership with Learning and Work Institute, to deliver evidence reviews and practical resources on key labour market issues to help inform local policymakers.
26 November 2025
Final report: A Work, Health and Skills Plan for Wales
This research delivered by Learning and Work Institute (L&W), and funded by Serco, comes at a pivotal moment to inform a significant new era for employment support in Wales. The commitment from the UK Government to devolve non-Jobcentre Plus support is part of a broader strategy, outlined in the recently released Get Britain Working White Paper, which aims to streamline and enhance employment support mechanisms across the UK.
26 November 2025
Bold new plan needed to help 60,000 more people into work in Wales and tackle economic inactivity.
Wales should set a bold ambition for at least three quarters of working-age people to be in work, closing the employment gap with the rest of the UK, argues a new report from Learning and Work Institute (L&W). The report finds this would boost the Welsh economy by £1.4 billion and save taxpayers up to £500 million per year.
6 November 2025
A Work, Health, and Skills Plan for Wales
This research delivered by Learning and Work Institute, and funded by Serco, comes at a pivotal moment to inform a significant new era for employment support in Wales. The commitment from the UK Government to devolve non-Jobcentre Plus support is part of a broader strategy, outlined in the recently released Get Britain Working White Paper, which aims to streamline and enhance employment support mechanisms across the UK.
21 October 2025
Delivering a more inclusive Welsh labour market
Employment support in Wales is changing, with the UK Labour Government committing to the devolution of all non-Jobcentre Plus employment support programmes. Learning and Work Institute (L&W) analysis indicates an estimated £47 million will be provided through devolution to deliver additional employment support in Wales. This is a key moment for Welsh Government to design and deliver employment support tailored to the needs of communities across the country.
