Empowering people to gain and maintain employment. To be held at the Barbican Conference Centre, London EC2

In economically difficult times, skills for work and employment are drivers for economic growth and social cohesion and are vital to ensure that the UK economy is well equipped to compete in the global market. The Government has announced £100m extra funding over the next three years for people to gain the right skills and to enable access to training and re-training to ensure employment is further increased. The future UK economy depends on more high-level skilled workers and an inclusive workforce. This conference brought together senior representatives from local and regional agencies, colleges, Jobcentre Plus and learning and skills providers to explore strategies for multi-agency and partnership working and to hear about best practice to achieve sustained employment and to raise skills levels to make the UK a world leader in skills by 2020.