People 1st joins up with PACE to deliver programme for 2013 conference

19-Feb-2013 - Last updated on 26-Apr-2021 at 18:23 GMT

The inclusion of People 1st at this year's PACE conference is designed to improve the links between catering education and the workplace to ensure students are work ready

The Professional Association for Catering Educators (PACE) has invited sector skills council People 1st to deliver a joint programme for this year's annual learning and development conference to help provide a better link between educators, training providers and employers.

While People 1st spoke at last year's conference, this year the association, which works to ensure training is relevant and effective for employers within the industry, has been involved in helping to draw up the programme for this year.

The 2013 conference, which has been extended by an extra day, will focus on the future of training and apprenticeships within the hospitality industry, funding and recruitment and will aim to give delegates practical guidance on addressing issues around work readiness.

Annette Allmark, head of accreditation at People 1st, said that the decision to join with PACE and extend the programme to attract both employers and providers was an obvious choice.

“We’ve long had a great relationship with the PACE team and by joining resources we’re confident that delegates will benefit from stimulating discussions around issues that are having a direct impact on their organisations," she said.

Important links

The conference, which takes place at The East Midlands Conference Centre on 12 and 13 March, will include a series of key note speakers addressing issues such as apprenticeships, promoting career pathways through centres of excellence, and sustainability issues in colleges and work places.

It will also see the launch of the Hospitality Guild's college accreditation system which is being set up to 'recognise and celebrate excellence in the delivery of training and qualifications' and will enable employers to know whether potential employees have come from a college that has developed people to meet business needs.

Geoff Booth, chair of PACE, said that the agreement to work with People 1st on the event will ensure that all attendees will benefit from hearing about a range of programmes and initiatives that are happening throughout the industry.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have People 1st on board and are really looking forward to the new range of issues and discussions that their inclusion will bring," he said. "People 1st will help provide that all important link between educators and providers, which will add a new dimension to the event.”

To register for the event and see a full agenda click here .