The conference, which has been organised by Bradford Council and Bradford District Partnership, takes place on Wednesday, 7 October at Cedar Court Hotel, Bradford from 4.30pm to 8pm
The model, called Bradford Pathways, originated in the USA and the Council is developing it to meet Bradford’s diverse needs and support the vision of Bradford as a Producer City.
The model has had huge success in the USA and this is the first instance of it being adopted in the UK. It works by building collaboration between education, businesses and industry partners to make sure that education matches the future skills requirements
of both employers and job-seekers.
The main keynote address will be delivered by Dr Deirdre Hughes, OBE, a senior consultant and Principal Research Fellow at the University of Warwick’s Institute for Employment Research (IER). Dr Hughes will address an invited audience of business leaders,
and senior education professionals.
Michael Jameson, Strategic Director of Children’s Services, said "The purpose of Bradford Pathways is to prepare students for a world of changing business and economic needs. It will support young people and adults into a wide range of higher-wage, higher-skills
and higher-demand careers in sectors that are important to Bradford and the region.”
Coun David Green, Leader of Bradford Council and Chair of Bradford District Partnership, said: "Bradford Pathways is an innovative way of delivering skills and knowledge for young people so they can gain employment now and in the future. It is a way of
education and business sectors working together that has had great success in the United States and other countries.
"The Council will be taking a leadership role in working with schools and businesses to develop Bradford Pathways so we can match skills and training with the future needs of our economy.”