The FDA's skills project makes plans for 2012

Neil Rider, FDA Professional Skills for Government project manager

More than 60 delegates attended the FDA Learning and Skills conference on 23 May, held at the NUT in central London. With a theme of 'Skills: High Performing Workplaces and Beyond', the conference reviewed the work of the union's skills project, launched ideas for the forthcoming year and informed delegates of new initiatives.

The conference included speeches from Rowena Kisely, deputy director of Civil Service Learning; FDA general secretary Jonathan Baume; and Gillian Aitchison, workforce development adviser at Skills for Justice. Briefings were also given on project initiatives, such as career choice in public delivery, community mentoring in the North West of England and Fast Stream mentoring by Middlesex University.

FDA Professional Skills for Government project manager, Neil Rider - who spoke about the project's achievements and future plans - said: "Feedback from today's conference will help us with project planning for the next year. Good strategic discussions have taken place, including talks with at least one employer about their learning and development strategies."