Welfare to Work Scotland Convention 2011: Tackling unemployment Scotland's way

This year’s Convention takes place during a year featuring:

• the election of a majority SNP government in Scotland;
• the start of the ground-breaking, risk-taking Work Programme, ending decades of centrally-controlled programmes;
• the design of the Universal Credit as the UK government pushes ahead with radical welfare reforms.

In this year’s convention there’ll be:

• diverse views about how to pull together the efforts of all agencies around improving both employability and skills;
• debate about the key features of the Scottish approach to welfare to work;
• opportunity to hear about what works and good practice;
• time for participants to have their say in these vital debate.

Confirmed speakers:

• John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, Scottish Government
• Breege Burke, Chief Executive, Working Links
• Adam Sharples, Director General, Employment Group, Department for Work and Pensions
• Paul de Pellette, Director for Scotland, Ingeus UK
• Martin Sime, Chief Executive, SCVO
• Rena Kinloch, Customer Service Director, Scotland, Jobcentre Plus
• Laurie Russell, Chief Executive, the Wise Group
• Moira McKerracher, Assistant Director, UKCES
• Dave Simmonds OBE, Chief Executive, Centre for Economic & Social Inclusion
• John Dickie, Head of Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland

Conference themes:

• Tackling unemployment Scotland’s Way
• The Work Programme in action
• The impacts of welfare reform

Who should attend?

• The Scottish Government
• Skills Development Scotland
• Employment and skills providers
• Voluntary and community sector organisations
• Jobcentre Plus
• Local employability partnerships
• Further Education colleges
• Employers active in providing opportunities
• Local authorities – elected members and senior officials

Direct your conference enquiries to the Inclusion Events Team on 020 7840 8333 or events [at] cesi [dot] org [dot] uk.  For sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities contact mintra [dot] sadler [at] cesi [dot] org [dot] uk to discuss your options.

For further information visit the Inclusion website.