Basecamp

It’s time for IEP Basecamp 2024! In just over a week frontline employability practitioners and first-line managers will level up their professional game with practical learning takeaways which can be put into practice straight away.

Kindly sponsored by ‘Headline’ partner Ingeus and ‘Human Fuel’ partner Cognisoft, Basecamp returns for its second year on 10th October at Thinktank Birmingham, providing you the opportunity to connect with your sector colleagues and like-minded individuals and learn from subject matter experts on a range of topics – all designed to help you be the best you can be.

Whether you’re looking to transform conflict into collaboration, empower job seekers facing stigma, harness the power of AI for employability success, or build meaningful partnerships with employers, you’ll gain valuable insights into the latest trends and best practice for supporting participants and you’ll leave feeling empowered to make a real difference to their lives.

Julie Graham FIEP, CEO of Ingeus UK, said:

“Every day is different working in employability – new people to help, new challenges to overcome, new solutions to be found. Frontline practitioners and their managers spend their working days constantly finding different approaches to connect with and support people.

“IEP Basecamp gives us the opportunity to take a breath and together, work out how to do different brilliantly!”

Our Master of Ceremonies this year is none other than Dan Howard FIEP, Partnership Development Director at Lifetime Training who will join the very best speakers and panellists drawn from across the employability and skills sector and beyond to share knowledge, exchange ideas and encourage debate. The day’s format is made up of four seminar sessions with networking and refreshment breaks built in to help all present to connect and learn from each other, to enhance your professional practice.

Itinerary and Seminar Programme

09:00 Doors open

09:15 – 10:00 Registration, Coffee and Networking – sponsored by CogniSoft, Human Fuel Partners 

10:10 – 10:15 Welcome from Scott Parkin FIEP, Group Chief Executive, IEP

10:15 – 10.20 A word from our sponsors – Gitin Chavda FIEP, Regional Restart Director, Ingeus

10:20 – 11:10 Seminar 1 | Navigating Conflict – Where is your compass?

Challenging conversations don’t have to be a source of conflict – they can be an opportunity for collaboration and growth. In this seminar, you’ll learn advanced techniques for navigating difficult discussions with participants, colleagues, and employers. Discover how to transform potential conflicts into constructive dialogues by employing active listening, empathy, and problem-solving strategies. This session will equip you with the strategies to make sure your personal compass is aligned in the right direction so that you can navigate conflict and challenging situations successfully. This in turn will allow you to turn disagreements into opportunities for building stronger, more productive relationships in your professional practice.

Speakers – Helen Lee FIEP, Head of the IEP Learning Academy, IEP | Emma Williams MAIEP, L&D Manager, IEP | Tim Scragg, Training Consultant & Actor, Self-Employed

11:10 – 11:15 Winners announced for Member of the Year (sponsored by Ingeus) and

Learning Impact of the Year (sponsored by the Digital College)

11:15 – 11:35 Refreshments and Networking – Sponsored by CogniSoft, Human Fuel Partners

11:35 – 12:25 Seminar 2 | Wheel of Empowerment: Tackling Stigma and Complex Needs in the Job Market

Spin the wheel and join our interactive gameshow-themed session where our expert panel will tackle the challenges of stigma and complex needs in the workplace. Each ‘spin’ will uncover a different scenario or barrier faced by job seekers, from mental health issues to past convictions. Our panellists will then discuss innovative tools, techniques, and strategies to overcome these challenges, focusing on equity and empowerment. This lively, engaging session promises to provide you with fresh perspectives and practical approaches to support your participants in overcoming societal stigma.

Panellists – Jacob Hill, Founder and Managing Director, Offploy | Andy Gullick FIEP, Founder and Chief Executive, RIFT Social Enterprise | Natalie Wood (Keating) FIEP, CEO, Better Health Generation UK  | Liz Sewell FIEP, Director, Belina GRoW CIC | Okszana Nepijvoda AIEP, Key Worker – United for Ukraine project, The Growth Company

12:25 – 12:30 – IEP Certificate in Employability Practice Learner of the Year and Learning Ally of the Year Winners Announced

12:30 – 13:25 – Networking Lunch – Sponsored by CogniSoft, Human Fuel Partners

13:25 – 14:20 – Seminar 3 | The AI Advantage – Leveraging Technology for Employability Success

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the employability landscape, and it’s time to embrace its potential. This seminar will guide you through the latest AI trends, tools, and techniques that can enhance your work in supporting job seekers. From AI-driven interview and personalised communication coaching to predictive analytics, discover how to integrate these technologies into your day-to-day practice. Gain hands-on knowledge about the ethical considerations and learn how to balance the human touch with AI efficiency to create better outcomes for your clients.

Speaker – Baladran Thavarajah, Founder and CEO, GetMe AI

14:20 – 14:25 – IEP Award in Employer Solutions Learner of the Year (sponsored by Seetec) and Member Ambassador of the Year Winners Announced

14:25 – 14:45 – Refreshments and Networking – Sponsored by CogniSoft, Human Fuel Partners

14:45 – 15:35 – Seminar 4 | Employer Partnerships – Developing People, Not Products

Employers can be more than just developers of goods and services – they can be developers of people. This seminar will explore strategies for engaging employers as active partners in the development of your participants’ careers. We’ll discuss how to position participants’ unique strengths and experiences as valuable assets to employers, and how to create meaningful pathways to employment that benefit both the job seeker and the company. Learn how to shift the focus from merely filling job vacancies to building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with industry leaders.

Speaker – Jonty Rooke MIEP, Head of Employer Services, Ingeus

Panellists, Caren Alderwick, Head of Apprenticeships and Operational Training, CrossCountry

| Jade Pearson, New Talent Leader, Severn Trent Water | Kim Hardman, Director of Apprenticeships, AstraZeneca

15:35 – 15:40 – IEP Award in AI for Employability Learner of the Year and IEP Award in Supporting Participants with Complex Needs Learner of the Year (sponsored by CogniSoft) Winners Announced

15:40 – 15:50 – Closing Remarks | Scott Parkin FIEP, Group CEO, IEP

16:00 – 17:00 – Drinks Reception

IEP Basecamp offers something for everyone. With engaging workshops, inspiring speakers, and a supportive community, this event is the perfect way to take your learning to the next level. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and connect!

Spaces are limited and a waiting list is in operation. If you are an Individual IEP member and interested in attending please contact amy.lucas@iemployability.org ASAP