January Update – People and Employment
Topics
ESF - Next Steps
Following up from our last Employment and Skills Forum on 5th November and members' expression of preference in creating two separate groups – each one focusing on the Forum’s key priority areas, (a) Skills and Education and (b) Employment & Workforce - we have circulated our proposal, outlining the Forum’s structure for the next 12-18 months.
We would be grateful for members' feedback on our proposal by Monday 27 January. Members are also welcomed to suggest director-level nominations for potential chairs of the two separate workstreams, with an interest in chairing either group. Please contact Tanya for more information.
Existing ESF members are requested to contact Iliana to indicate which group(s) they wish to participate in and also notify if new colleagues would be interested in participating in either group/ any broader company contacts (e.g. legal teams) who would like to be included on general updates across both workstreams.
National Apprenticeships Week 2025
This year’s National Apprenticeships week is 10-16 February. We would love to hear from our members for any planned activities you have which we can promote via our channels. FDF will be doing some social media and it would be great to connect with our member’s activities. Please contact us by Monday 3rd February with your plans/ideas.
ACAS coming up events
ACAS has a number of employment law and best practice related trainings coming up which might be of interest:
- Having difficult conversations (face-to-face): 30 January at 9:30-16:00 (in person- Cambridge) [Practical guidance, with role play activities, on how to handle difficult conversations with employees]
- Changing terms and conditions of employment: 25th March at 9:30-12:30 (online) [The legal obligations and good practice for implementing a change to employment terms and conditions]
- Contracts and written statements: 2 April at 9:30-12:30 (online) [The legal obligations and good practice for implementing a change to employment terms and conditions]
You can browse more training options for various topics on different times and locations on ACAS website.
Low Pay Commission Regional Visits
The Low Pay Commission have announced the dates for their regional visits for this year.
- Dundee on 19-20 March
- London on 15-16 April
- Swansea on 14-15 May
- Exeter on 11-12 June
- Newry on 2-3 July
- Newcastle on 6-7 August
Full details are available here. If you are interested in hosting a visit you can contact the LPC directly at lpc@lowpay.gov.uk or 07341 098734.