On the Shoulders of Giants - Learning from former skills institutions

What can history teach us about improving skills and education policy today?

This free event draws on the Edge Foundation's Learning from the Past policy reviews to explore how education and training reforms in England have tackled enduring challenges — from qualification reform and employer engagement to tackling youth unemployment and what makes a successful labour market intervention programme.

The session will feature presentations of original research alongside expert discussion, using the reviews as a springboard to air fresh perspectives and challenge assumptions. It aims to help policymakers, practitioners and researchers think critically about what past policies achieved, where they fell short, and what a more effective, long-term approach to post-16 education and training might look like.