Hello!
February's set to be another busy month for the Partnership now the year is in full swing.
Our Essential Skills Tracker is launching on March 1 - a 'state of the nation' analysis of essential skills in the UK.
There's National Apprenticeships Week coming up, and applications for our flagship Accelerator programme open on February 28.
You can also read a blog on our 2025 Strategy and our plan for the busy year ahead.
This newsletter at a glance:
- Reserve your spot for our upcoming Tracker launch event
- Take a sneak peek at what's on in Apprenticeship Week
- Learn about Accelerator, returning this year on February 28
- Read our blog on what's coming up in 2022
- Apply for our latest jobs
- Welcome new organisations joining the Partnership
- Check out this month's resource spotlight, Skills Builder Launchpad
Scroll down for all the latest. See you next month!
Tom Ravenscroft
Founder and CEO, Skills Builder Partnership
UPCOMING RESEARCH LAUNCH: The Essential Skills Tracker 2022
We're pleased to invite you to the launch of the inaugural Essential Skills Tracker.
Building off the Partnership’s groundbreaking work last year which established the links
between essential skills and key outcomes for young people, this new Tracker takes a view across the whole population. More than 2,200 adults of all ages completed a full self-assessment against the Skills Builder Framework in collaboration with YouGov. The result is the most complete picture we've ever had of who is building their essential skills, and what the impact of those skills are.
Join us for the launch on Tuesday 1 March between 9-10am to hear from the authors of the report, to hear reflections from the excellent panel, and to get to ask your questions too.
Get in touch In the run up to the launch of the Tracker, we'll be sharing the key findings on our social media and in the press.
If you're interested with hosting a blog from us on the report findings, or including the event in your newsletters and other communications, we want to hear from you!
Just send us an email or reply to this address.
National Apprenticeship Week
Next week will see the annual National Apprenticeship Week - a week-long celebration of the contribution of apprenticeships across the UK to people, businesses, and the economy.
This year's theme is 'build the future': it will explore how apprenticeships both help individuals ready themselves for work and build a fulfilling career and support businesses in training their workforce with future-ready skills.
Throughout the week we'll be focusing on the positive impact that apprenticeships have on building essential skills and sharing insights on our social media.
We'll also feature a blog spotlighting a partner on our Impact Directory that embeds apprenticeships into their work alongside the Skills Builder approach to learning essential skills - stay tuned!
Learn about National Apprenticeship Week
Accelerator applications open soon
Our end-of-term feedback from schools and colleges on Accelerator and Accelerator+ received really positive comments from Skills Leaders. We have good news: applications for our 2022-23 Accelerator programmes are opening on February 28th.
Schools and colleges anywhere in England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland can apply to join our UK Accelerator, and those anywhere else in the world can join the Global Accelerator.
There's a bunch of information available below on our website, where you can also sign up to get email alerts straight to your inbox to remind you when applications open.
Be sure to share Accelerator with any educators you know!
Information sessions
We're also holding free information sessions throughout the next few months where you can learn everything you need to know about Accelerator, including programme elements, digital tools, and our top tips for applying.
Go to our events page below and browse through to find the date that suits you.
2022: The year ahead
With our 2025 Strategy now finalised, we’re going to see huge strides for the Skills Builder Partnership. The next three years will see us deliver more high quality opportunities to boost essential skills than ever before.
But what about 2022 alone?
This blog by our Founder and CEO, Tom Ravenscroft, covers the main dates to add to your calendar this year, as well as our priorities going forward. Read below...
We're hiring!
If you want to be part of an inspiring team, and benefit from opportunities for rapid growth and development, we want to hear from you.
Head of Innovation Fund
Do you build outstanding relationships and have strong fundraising skills, and want to have a real impact by helping transform how the world builds essential skills?
Deadline: 7 February
Strategy & Data Associate
Are you an ambitious problem solver, who wants to have a social impact by helping achieve systemic change?
Deadline: 7 February.
Welcome to our new partners
The Partnership is only made possible with the support of a diverse range of actors across multiple sectors.
More and more organisations like you are making commitments to ensure that everyone has the essential skills to succeed by working with us and bringing in your unique perspective and expertise. Working together brings us closer to our shared vision, and we're grateful for your support.
Continue to spread the word about the Partnership, and we'll update you every month with information on our newest partners.
Spotlight: Skills Builder Launchpad
Did you start the New Year by setting yourself new goals? Not sure how to achieve them?
Skills Builder Launchpad breaks down essential skill development into short and engaging modules. It can support specific development priorities (identified through Skills Builder Benchmark) or guide you through a choice of courses based on the essential skills.
Use Launchpad to build your own essential skills such as Creativity or Leadership. You can track your development, record real life examples against the skill steps and share your progress with others using your personalised Skill Reports.
Here's how it works for individuals...
Identify key concepts and strategies related to the skill step. Choose to watch, listen or read.
Practise the skill through interactive online and offline activities.
Articulate your understanding of the skill step through written reflection or discussion.
