WIREDGOV

Over 300 people attended Lifelong Learning UK's third annual conference on Tuesday, 8 December 2009. This unique one day event brought together a diverse range of leaders and decision makers to discuss sustainable, innovative solutions to help the UK towards recovery.

Chaired by Lesley Riddoch, speakers included Will Hutton, Executive Vice Chair, The Work Foundation, Stephen Uden, Head of Skills and Economic Affairs, Microsoft Ltd, Paul Sloane, author and speaker on innovation and leadership, Sir David Melville, Chair, Lifelong Learning UK, Dame Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive of the British Library, amongst many others.

The conference provoked strong debate amongst leading figures in workforce development.  Sir David Melville opened the debate, focusing on future skills and how we must adapt and improve to continue to compete on a global platform.  Will Hutton built on this theme and proposed that the future of UK wealth would come from the "national innovation architecture" of the knowledge economy, not financial services which he believes is "unsustainable as a growth sector".

He went on to forecast that by 2040 four out of five people will be working in new industries and will require support for research and dissemination, productive entrepreneurship, market formulation, financial mobilisation and human capital development. He told delegates working in lifelong learning that "what you do now is even more important" so that the UK can thrive.

Workshops and the networking zone allowed participants to explore issues in more detail, including how to help young people during a recovery, skills utilisation, embracing change and equality and diversity. A panel discussion in the afternoon also provoked strong debate about the importance of the lifelong learning workforce and our role as the Sector Skills Council for lifelong learning.

Exclusive keynote speaker interviews, photos, presentations and a conference report will be online shortly.