The IEP’s Connecting Wales: Bridging Communities and Opportunities free special event on 5 February, designed for Welsh organisations and professionals dedicated to making a difference across Wales, was a huge success!
With over 70 people registered to attend, this first-of-its-kind IEP event was led by IEP Fellow Kathryn Jellings FIEP, Director at 3SC and a member of the IEP Welsh Fellowship Advisory Board. It aimed to inspire collaboration, foster innovation, and equip attendees with the tools needed to drive lasting, positive change in their communities.
Josh Miles, Director for Wales at the Learning and Work Institute, joined as the guest speaker, sharing insights from the Get Britain Working White Paper and outlining a roadmap for a Health, Work, and Skills Plan for Wales. His discussion highlighted how these strategies, along with collaborations with organisations like Serco, are shaping employment support policies in Wales.
Welsh Fellowship Advisory Board Members David Elsmere FIEP (Partnership Manager – Restart Scheme Wales at Serco), Libby Duo FIEP (Strategic Manager Skills & Employability at Conwy County Borough Council), Ian Ross FIEP (Chief Executive at Whitehead Ross Consulting Ltd), and Gareth Matthews FIEP (Director at Itec Training Solutions Ltd) also took part in the event. They led interactive breakout sessions that showcased best practices, addressed key challenges in the sector, and explored innovative solutions to achieve meaningful outcomes for Welsh communities.
Riza Aparici MIEP and Carly Parker MIEP, both IEP Partnership Managers, say “The Connecting Wales: Bridging Communities and Opportunities event was a huge success, raising the IEP’s profile in Wales and highlighting the incredible support we offer to the workforce. The event provided a valuable opportunity to better understand the challenges organisations are facing and how we can help.
“Attendees were particularly engaged in the interactive break-out rooms, where we dove into specific topics aimed at tackling challenges across Wales. The energy and passion in these discussions were incredible, with attendees really appreciating the chance to collaborate and share insights. A big thank you to Kathryn Jellings FIEP for expertly chairing the event, and to Joshua Miles for his valuable input on the current employability landscape.
“It was a fantastic day of connection and collaboration during this pivotal time of change.”
The event provided an opportunity for professionals and organisations across Wales to connect, gain fresh perspectives on employability strategies, build new partnerships, and expand their professional networks.
