In the 2017-2018 academic year, the UK’s 266 colleges provided education and training to 300,000 apprentices, 600,000 young people aged 16-18, and 1.4 million adults. Despite higher standards being placed on providers, sixth form and Further Education (FE) funding has fallen by a fifth since 2010 according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies. This is seemingly in contradiction with the fact that the apprenticeship agenda, along with introduction of T-levels and Institutes of Technology, has put FE centre stage in closing the UK’s technical skills gap.

With depleted resources and higher expectations, FE needs to continue to embrace technology as a means of improving educational quality, raising student engagement and attainment, and enhancing enrolment and retention. Digital transformation has been proven to help colleges streamline administrative processes and become more efficient at an institutional level. Additionally, given that Jisc’s 2018 Digital Experience Survey reveals only 41% of students think their course prepares them for the digital workplace, FE has a critical role in furnishing students with the digital skills and technical know-how to flourish in the modern economy.

April 2019 saw the Department for Education (DfE) releasing its EdTech strategy, entitled Realising the Potential of Technology in Education: A Strategy for Education Providers and the Technology Industry. The strategy has £10 million in funding to support its implementation, and contains measures directly relevant to the FE sector, including putting together a network of ‘demonstrator schools and colleges’ to leverage the existing expertise in the sector and help to provide peer-to-peer support and training. This policy update builds on the Government’s 2017 Digital Strategy and the original FELTAG ambitions and proposals outlined in 2014.

The onus is now on the FE sector to capitalise on this renewed push towards technological integration and transformation across the education sector. Sixth form colleges, FE institutions and institutes of technology must collaborate and share best practice on how to cultivate innovation, design robust digital strategies and integrate technology across colleges to ensure that the sector continues to develop students’ digital skills, adopt emerging technologies and effectively harness them to enhance teaching and learning processes and outcomes.

This interactive one day conference will provide delegates with the opportunity to discuss with sector leaders the current state-of-play and future direction of technology in Further Education (FE), as well as hearing about new strategic measures and funding opportunities to support the digital agenda.

Attendees will also gain invaluable insights from best-practice case studies around how technology can benefit FE teachers, students and institutions through utilising AI and Augmented Reality technologies, designing high-quality blended learning programmes, investing in staff digital skills training and developing whole-college digital strategies.

Key speakers include:
• Deborah McCann, Head of Edtech, Stem Strategy and Digital Division, Department of Education (DfE)
• Sarah Knight, Senior Co-Design Manager, Jisc
• Bob Harrison, Member, Further Education Learning and Technology Group (FELTAG)
• Maren Deepwell, Chief Executive, The Association for Learning Technology (ALT)
• Scott Hayden, Digital Innovation Specialist, Basingstoke College of Technology
• Debra Gray, Principal and Deputy CEO, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education, Member, Department for Education EdTech Leadership Group.

Don't forget to quote 'IGEdCentral20' when booking to claim your exclusive 20% discount!

There are three ways to register: call: 0203 770 6580; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or click the link below to visit the event website.