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What Does Award-Winning Training Look Like?

Join host Polly Rowe for an in-depth look at what training excellence really looks like across a range of sectors — and why the most successful organisations place skills development at the heart of their strategy.

In this episode, Polly is joined by Candice Gardner, Education Manager for Learning and Content at the award-winning Dermalogica UK, and Remi Ogunleye, former Awards Manager and now Contracts and Partnerships Manager at City & Guilds, as they take a deep dive into the stories behind award-winning training programmes, from organisations of all sizes – even those with limited resources.

Key Takeaways You'll Discover:

• Why excellence in training creates measurable business impact when learning is linked to outcomes
• How organisations of any size can achieve excellence through creativity and innovation
• The “grow or go” principle shows that staff are more likely to stay when they have opportunities to develop
• Immersive, experience-based training is the future – creativity is key!

Whether you're in HR, L&D, or simply passionate about skills, this episode offers inspiration and practical insight into what makes training truly exceptional.

For more about the Princess Royal Training Awards or to learn how to apply, visit: Princess Royal Training Awards

Listen to more episodes in the Foundation & Friends podcast series, here.

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How can we better equip young people with essential, future-ready skills?

Why are nearly a million young people in the UK not in employment, education, or training, and what role do "durable skills" play in this persistent problem?

Join us as we welcome expert guests Andrea Barry from Youth Futures Foundation and Ema Marinho, Early Careers Lead at William Hare, for a candid discussion. Discover:

• Why there's a perceived "disconnect" between education and employers, even when young people have good grades.
• The critical role of mentorship and post-recruitment support in enabling young people to thrive in the workplace.
• How systemic issues, including financial barriers and varied awareness, particularly impact young people from ethnic minority backgrounds seeking apprenticeships.
• Bold ideas for encouraging more employers, especially SMEs, to engage with and support young apprentices.

This mini-series finale, hosted by co-hosts Bryony Kingsland, (City & Guilds), and Gavin O'Meara (FE News), dives into a challenge affecting every sector and every age group in the workforce: Durable Skills.

This episode offers vital insights for anyone involved in skills development, education, or employment. Tune in to explore the systemic challenges — and discover actionable solutions for building a future-ready workforce where no one falls through the gaps.

Listen now and gain a deeper understanding of how we can collectively empower the next generation!

For further information about the material quoted in this episode visit:

Making Skills Work: The Path to Solving the Productivity Crisis - report

📢 Listen now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of skills.

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Tackle the industry's skills shortages and stay ahead of the curve by listening to this critical episode of Future skills!

Whether you're a professional working in the construction and infrastructure industry or an SME looking to access training support, or a large employer needing to collaborate more effectively with providers, this episode is packed with fresh thinking on how to better tackle workforce shortages and future-proof businesses. The panel also look ahead to the impact of AI—reminding us why traditional skills, backed by digital adaptability, remain essential in the face of rapid change.

Discover how to:

• Attract diverse talent and expand your workforce beyond traditional recruitment channels
• Implement flexible apprenticeship programmes that meet industry needs and retain top talent
• Leverage digital transformation to drive innovation and efficiency in your organisation

In this thought-provoking episode of Future skills, hosts Bryony Kingsland and Gavin O’Meara are joined by industry leaders to unpack the pressing issues shaping construction and infrastructure today. From widening access and inclusion, to navigating the realities of shorter apprenticeships and the evolving role of SMEs, this conversation offers sharp insight and real-world solutions.

By listening to this episode, you'll gain valuable insights from industry experts so don't miss out on this essential conversation!

Special thanks to our guests: Jon Hornagold, Apprenticeship Manager at Amey, and Jason Howe, Technical Advisor for Construction and Utilities at City & Guilds.

For further information about the material quoted in this episode visit:

Making Skills Work: The Path to Solving the Productivity Crisis - report

📢 Listen now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of skills.

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As the green skills gap in the UK widens, how can organisations adapt quickly enough to meet the growing demand? In this episode of Future skills, hosts Bryony Kingsland and Gavin O'Meara delve into the realities of the green skills shortage and how collaboration between employers and education providers can bridge this gap.

With insights from experts Stephen Knight of MCS Certified and Mark Buckton of Opergy, the episode reveals how traditional trades like mechanical and electrical engineering, along with roles in fabricating, welding, and pipe fitting, are increasingly crucial for green jobs. The race to net-zero is accelerating, but are we training enough workers to meet these needs?

This episode provides practical solutions to improve collaboration between employers and education providers, addressing the funding and salary challenges in the FE sector that hinder recruitment and retention.

With discussions on AI, automation, and the evolving role of trades in the green economy, this episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in sustainability, skills development, or the future of work in the net-zero era.

For further information about the material quoted in this episode visit:

Making Skills Work: The Path to Solving the Productivity Crisis - report

📢 Listen now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of skills.

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Worried about AI use in your organisation? Discover the safeguarding steps every FE provider can implement today.

As AI transforms the workplace, 74% of UK workers express concerns about using AI at work, while 18% of adults lack essential digital skills. In this episode of Future skills, hosts Bryony Kingsland and Gavin O'Meara explore the realities of AI adoption in further education with experts Rebecca Bradley, and Richard Foster-Fletcher.

From AI governance to continually upskilling and reskilling, our experts tackle the urgent need to empower the FE workforce in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Discover practical strategies for college leaders, the importance of teaching critical thinking skills to recognise AI limitations, and the delicate balance between embracing innovation and protecting data security.

Tune in as our experts share tactical approaches that every FE organisation can implement starting today.

📢 Listen now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of skills.

For further information about the material quoted in this episode visit:

Staffing industry Analysis

Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps

Making Skills Work: The Path to Solving the Productivity Crisis - report

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Dirty Hands or Digital Minds? Redefining Engineering for the AI Era

The UK’s engineering sector is at a crossroads—facing a critical skills shortage, rapid technological advancements, and an aging workforce. In this Future Skills mini-series, we dive into the urgent need for a more agile qualification system, stronger employer engagement, and improved careers guidance to bridge the gap between education and industry.

Our expert guests, Rhys Morgan (Royal Academy of Engineering) and Becky Ridler (Not Just Girls), join hosts Bryony Kingsland (City & Guilds) & Gavin O’Meara (FE News) to explore:

🔹 Why engineering education remains fragmented—and how we can fix it
🔹 The importance of modular, responsive qualifications that keep pace with industry needs
🔹 The diversity challenge in STEM—women make up just 16% of the workforce, and representation matters
🔹 How post-pandemic skills deficits, particularly in communication and workplace readiness, are affecting young engineers
🔹 What employers and educators must do now to prepare for the future of engineering

Whether you're an employer, educator, policymaker, or future engineer, this episode unpacks practical solutions to one of the UK’s most pressing workforce challenges.

📢 Listen now and be part of the conversation shaping the future of skills.

For further information about the material quoted in this episode visit:

• Skills England
• Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
• Lifelong Learning Entitlement overview
• Making Skills Work: The Path to Solving the Productivity Crisis - report

Listen today, or watch on YouTube.

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This is the time for apprenticeships to fly." Andrew Pakes MP shares his vision for rebuilding Britain's skills system.

In this conversation, Andrew Pakes, MP for Peterborough and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships, discusses the critical role of apprenticeships in the UK, with host Kirstie Donnelly MBE. He emphasizes the need for a robust apprenticeship system that aligns with the industrial strategy and addresses the skills gap in the workforce. Andrew shares his personal journey and the importance of social justice in shaping his views on education and employment. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by small businesses in engaging with the apprenticeship system and the need for cultural change to elevate the status of apprenticeships in society.

To hear Andrew's thoughts on the role of government in skills development, how to address dropout rates in apprenticeships, and innovative ways the farming industry could inspire more SMEs to engage with apprenticeships, listen now.

For further information about the material quoted in this episode visit:

• Skills England
• HMP Highpoint
• All-Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships

For more episodes from the series click here.

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Ever wondered what it really takes to climb the career ladder as a woman? Or how to navigate the challenges of imposter syndrome?

Join host Polly Rowe for a special International Women's Day episode of Foundation and Friends, as she sits down with three remarkable female leaders from the Princess Royal Training Awards.

This episode explores the personal journeys of our guests, revealing the importance of learning, development, and unwavering resilience. We uncover the significance of mentorship, the ongoing pursuit of gender equality, and how the Princess Royal Training Awards are making a tangible difference.

But that's not all! We delve into the crucial role of creating a supportive workplace culture and the ripple effect of female empowerment. Discover how to overcome barriers, both personal and systemic, and why seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Key Takeaways You'll Discover:

• Accelerated Career Growth: How learning and development can propel your career forward.
• Unique Challenges: The specific hurdles female leaders often face in the workplace.
• The Ripple Effect: The far-reaching impact of female leaders beyond their immediate roles.

We'd like to thank our guests: Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Chief Executive of City & Guilds; Faiza Khan MBE, Executive Director of Corporate Affairs and Foundation at City & Guilds; and Fenella Tallon, Chief Assessor for the Princess Royal Training Awards, for joining us on this special International Women’s Day episode.

For more episodes from the series click here.

For further information about the material quoted in this episode visit:

• Princess Royal Training Awards