Policy Connect and the ERA Foundation are delighted to invite you the first in a series of roundtables conducted by Policy Connect and the ERA Foundation as part of our Supporting UK Manufacturing and Skills in a post Covid-19 world programme.

The discussion on Embedding design thinking in the curriculum will take place from 2pm until 3:30pm on Wednesday 24th February 2021 and be chaired by Barry Sheerman MP.

Design is a core part of a successful manufacturing base, promoting both industrial innovation, technical excellence and new methods of working. Many of the grand challenges facing both the manufacturing sector and wider society, such as the future for electric vehicles, are dependent on design and innovation thinking.

The roundtable will aim to better understand the value and relevance of design education.

For many students, Design and Technology is an opportunity to design solutions to real world applications, and develop the skills necessary to engage in a wide range of activities. Design skills are essential in engineering and programming careers, two areas that are key to the Government’s wider policy agenda.

The event will begin with an overview of the aims and ambitions of the report from the ERA Foundation. This will be followed by contributions from industry figures about the challenges facing design in technology in schools, higher and further education, and continuing training and reskilling. Participants will then move into a wider discussion about the three key areas we have identified:

The Skills Pipeline
Levelling-up
Opportunities for Growth

We look forward to you joining us for what I know will be an engaging and productive roundtable as part of a timely and much-needed report.

Full joining details and final agendas will be circulated to attendees in the week prior to the event.