The provision of economically valuable skills is one of the greatest challenges facing education providers and industry stakeholders in the science, engineering and technology (SET) sector. If we are to achieve the key Leitch recommendation of world-class skills by 2020, employers and the skills sector must work closely in partnership to equip the workforce with the Level 3-5 SET skills UK plc needs. 

The recent budget announcement that science funding will rise to £6.3bn by 2010-11 and the launching of the STEM programme to improve student support and progression, indicates that making Britain the number one location for science and innovation is a key Government priority in maintaining the UK’s global competitiveness.

As intermediate skills policy moves into the vital delivery stage, this conference brings together business and education leaders from across the UK to examine the next steps forward to ensure SET employers have the right skills, in the right place, at the right time. Mapping out the implications of policy developments - including funding streams, specialised diploma development and national skills academies - the conference will showcase effective practice from across the sector and look at how to improve partnership working in the delivery of vocational STEM skills.