Ashleigh Ainsley FRSA

Is your workforce ready? 🇬🇧 The digital skills gap persists in the UK public sector, yet upskilling budgets may be tightening. Our latest article dives into: 💭 The digital skills imperative: Why data analysis, AI, and cloud skills are crucial. 💭 Macro factors shaping UK skills: Geopolitics, economic trends, and critical technologies impacting training needs. 💭 Predictions for future learning investment: Upskilling strategies for navigating uncertainty. Want to learn how to build a resilient upskilling strategy for your public sector workforce? Head to the full article ➡️ https://ow.ly/ONEp30sE8mB #digitalskills #ukgovernment #upskilling #futureofwork #learninganddevelopment

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Great news for the West Midlands and well done TechWM. If you're a start up in the West Midlands, click on the links below and get involved techUK #WestMidlands #TechWM #techUK #scaleup #startup #BirminghamTechWeek

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Since starting at Multiverse almost 3 years ago, I've been most excited about the research our team would publish to the community. Our Learning Science team is doing just that, and I invite you to spend time familiarizing yourself with Learning Agility. "At Multiverse, our model of Learning Agility is inspired by and builds on both literature and our own empirical research findings. It splits learning agility into 3 crucial areas: 1. The Head (thinking capabilities): How do learners process information, use strategies to speed up learning, and apply knowledge independently? 2. The Heart (motivation): What aspects of learning does an individual find most motivating? 3. The Hands (action): What behavioral traits can either help or hinder the learning process?" - MV Learning Science Team As we implement this model, we not only enhance personalization and effectiveness in training programs but also promote a more inclusive and equitable learning environment, empowering every professional to reach their full potential.

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Can EDI Efforts Improve Apprenticeship Opportunities for Black and Brown Youth? 🤔 It's concerning to see many deserving individuals missing out on crucial career opportunities that could shape their futures. Some large companies aren't even utilising their levy funds for these purposes 🤯 What's your take on this issue? Are EDI leaders being heard, or is this conversation being overlooked? #EDI #ApprenticeshipEquality #YouthEmpowerment #Apprenticeship

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𝗔 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗜𝗻, 𝗔 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗱𝗴𝗲!  Just a week into my journey with The Human Edge, I’ve already had the privilege of experiencing one of our flagship programmes: Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue. Here’s a snapshot of the transformative insights: 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁: Creating an environment where every voice can resonate. 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱: The power of active listening in uncovering the unsaid. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: Our perceptions are not the full story—dare to delve deeper. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱: Mutual respect and purpose are the pillars of progress. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Turning insights into impactful actions and tangible results. These steps have equipped me with the tools for effective communication and shown me the core values that The Human Edge stands for.  #𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 #𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗘𝗱𝗴𝗲 #𝗢𝗻𝗲𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆

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How do you drive change in schools? Our new report explores how to maximise the impact of innovation in education - with insights for teachers, school leaders, academics, policymakers, and charities on ways to increase your influence. It’s based on the lessons learned from our evaluation of the Templeton World Charity Foundation ‘Big Questions in Classrooms’ initiative to promote inter-disciplinary teaching. Some of the key findings include:  ☑️ Involve teachers in research. ☑️ Focus on culture.  ☑️ Target school leaders & multi-academy trusts. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/eaqZHzGp 

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Have you checked out this article by Dr Mandy Crawford-Lee FRSA: The Importance of Both University and Apprenticeship Programmes Dr Mandy Crawford-Lee from University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) discusses the importance of a comprehensive #skillspolicy that supports both university education and apprenticeship programs. She argues that cutting university funding for apprenticeships is misguided, and emphasises the need for employers to invest more in training across all ages and levels to boost UK #productivity and economic growth. Check it out below 🔗 https://lnkd.in/euYi3d8a 🔗 #Apprenticeships #HigherEducation #GeneralElection

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An interesting article about the Digital Skills Gap and we have the solution. We offer fully funded accredited training in Digital Skills for Business - anyone in an admin role using word processing/spreadsheets/presentation apps will benefit - contact me to find out more! It's zero cost to you/your business! #digitalskills #freetraining #Educ8

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The DFE (ESFA) have issued a 'Summer Term Survey' to providers on Friday. Despite it giving the impression this is a normal request, its never been asked for before in this way, so if you deliver Study Programme, Apprenticeships, Bootcamp, T Levels, you need to review the sections and respond accordingly. There is also a section on Curriculum Planning and Workforce Pressures, so use the comments to make your views known. The return is 'voluntary', and the questions within it are mandatory (!), so you might as well consider it to be a requirement!

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First insights from my chat with Leanne de Main about the impact of Block Delivery. It's a pedagogical style that has always fascinated me - focussing students on a single module at a time and concentrating all efforts into that one topic area seems to have had an impressive impact on students at de Montfort in terms of both their happiness and their retention levels. Full audio episode is up next week (subscribe to the podcast to get it straight in your inbox) #higereducation #highered #blockteaching #blocklearning #pedagogy https://lnkd.in/et2i4PpC

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Digital tools promise cost-effective, timely data for informed decision-making, offering time-saving benefits over paper-based methods. We assessed 50 tools, diving deep into four, to provide insights into their uses and challenges. Our report examines data collection and visualisation tools in education across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia and highlights the key insights and gaps in the market and what support should be provided to fill these gaps. Read the report for more -https://ow.ly/FqJ850Rz9O0

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🧠 I've been reflecting over the last week on an apprentices' journey and more specifically the power of mentorship in apprenticeships... 💡 Mentorship is the cornerstone of the success of an apprentice - here's some of the reasons why: 1️⃣ Guidance and Support: A mentor provides personalised guidance and support to apprentices as they navigate their journey. From offering advice on technical skills to providing emotional support during challenges, mentors play a crucial role in nurturing talent. 2️⃣ Knowledge Transfer: Mentors offer experience and expertise, allowing apprentices to learn directly from seasoned professionals. This knowledge transfer accelerates the growth of the apprentice and equips them with practical insights that cannot be gained from textbooks alone. 3️⃣ Confidence Building: Through regular feedback and encouragement, mentors help apprentices build confidence in their abilities and overcome challenges. Knowing that they have a trusted mentor by their side empowers apprentices to take on new challenges and push their boundaries. 4️⃣ Career Development: Mentors play a pivotal role in the career development of apprentices, offering insights, advising on skill development opportunities and providing guidance on how to achieve goals. Their mentorship extends beyond the apprenticeship period, laying the foundation for lifelong learning and growth. In many instances, it can also provide invaluable career development to the mentor and can be the ideal way to provide employees valuable experience in their development too. #apprenticeships #mentoringmonday #TBCG

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Important work by Stephen Evans and colleagues at Learning and Work Institute. At AELP we know that the labour market is a single market that needs to be balanced and supported as a dynamic whole. This is why skills at ALL levels and all ages need to be nurtured and cherished. #skillsmeansgrowth #strongertogether

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Check out these roles!

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🔍 Rethinking Risk and Innovation in University Digital Strategies Amid Financial Constraints 🎓 In a revealing article by Tom Williams for Times Higher Education, experts discuss the increasing financial pressures that UK universities face and how this is reshaping their approach to digital innovation. 👩‍🏫 Stella Ekebuisi from the London School of Economics highlighted at the Digital Universities UK event that there is now a lower tolerance for failure within institutions. Universities are demanding immediate, large-scale changes rather than embracing the slow and steady progress that comes from experimental, exploratory initiatives. This shift is reducing the appetite for risky experimentation which, while potentially slowing innovation, is expected to streamline processes and deliver quick, scalable successes. 🏫 Tracey Jessup of De Montfort University echoed this sentiment, noting that the sector's low risk appetite is at odds with the nature of true innovation, which often involves a fair degree of trial and error. However, she also recognized that in the current financial climate, digital strategies need to not only innovate but also conserve resources. 📉 Andrew Greenway from Public Digital consultancy pointed out that financial constraints might actually help clarify priorities, as difficult economic times necessitate making tough choices about what to prioritize. 📘 The article serves as a crucial reminder that while financial constraints can stifle innovation, they also provide an opportunity to refine and focus efforts on what truly matters. As universities continue to adapt, the challenge will be to balance the need for immediate results with the intrinsic value of innovative exploration.

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A really useful practical addition that will help shape our approach to active blended and connected learning

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