Educators, Employers and Policymakers Unite at Skills Bedfordshire Symposium to Reimagine Curriculum for the Future Workforce

More than 90 educators, industry leaders and policymakers came together last month at the University of Bedfordshire for Skills Bedfordshire: Curriculum Planning and Partnership Working, a landmark partnership event organised by The Bedford College Group and the University of Bedfordshire.

Focused on preparing learners for the rapidly evolving demands of the workforce, the full-day symposium, held in early October, explored how curriculum planning must adapt to equip students with not only technical expertise but also the transferable skills – such as adaptability, critical thinking, and confidence – needed to thrive in uncertain times.

Highlights from the event included a keynote speech from Sarah Maclean, CEO, Skills England, on national priorities for skills, and an insightful panel discussion on ‘The Regional Context’, which featured contributions from Justin Richardson, CEO of the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, as well as representatives from the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor Skills and Talent Committee.

Other topics discussed as part of the packed agenda included a call to reframe planning as a core learning outcome—empowering students with the mindset and agency to shape their own pathways. There was critical debate on who defines “skills” in education, and how to ensure equitable access to skill-building opportunities for learners from all backgrounds. Delegates also examined the balance between employer needs and student aspirations, explored the potential of modular learning as a foundation for lifelong education, and identified opportunities to strengthen Bedfordshire’s educational portfolio and workforce resilience.

Robin Webber Jones, Executive Director of Curriculum for The Bedford College Group, said: “This symposium has been an important step in rethinking the role of education in preparing people not just for jobs, but for lifelong learning and meaningful work. By bringing together voices from across sectors, we are ensuring that the future of skills development in Bedfordshire is collaborative, inclusive, and forward-looking.”

This event directly supports The Bedford College Group’s purpose- ‘to help individuals, communities and society flourish through education’. By creating a platform for dialogue and partnership, Skills Bedfordshire reinforces the Group’s commitment to aligning education with real-world needs and ensuring that learning remains a transformative force for the region.

The symposium also underscored the need for place-based solutions, particularly in light of regional devolution and evolving government structures, while positioning Bedfordshire as a leader in innovative curriculum planning.

Professor Julie Brunton, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education & Student Experience at the University of Bedfordshire, said: “We are proud to work alongside The Bedford College Group to deliver Skills Bedfordshire and to shape the future of education and skills in our region. Events like this demonstrate the power of partnership in ensuring that students are equipped not only with the technical expertise employers need today, but also with the resilience and confidence to thrive in their chosen careers.”

Skills Bedfordshire: Curriculum Planning and Partnership Working marks the beginning of a broader series of conversations and initiatives designed to ensure that the next generation of learners are equipped with both the knowledge and capabilities to succeed in an unpredictable future – fulfilling the shared vision of education as a driver of opportunity, innovation, and prosperity for Bedfordshire and beyond.