West Nottinghamshire College principal and chief executive Dame Asha Khemka gives the opening address.

Online functional skills solution bksb, a subsidiary company of Mansfield’s West Nottinghamshire College, hosted the sixth annual Skills Conference at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham.
Around 350 delegates attended the event, which brought together some of the country’s most influential education professionals, and leading authorities and experts in learning and skills.
With keynote addresses, a question and answer session and a wide range of networking opportunities and education workshops, attendees were able to get up-to-date knowledge on best practice and policy, while accessing the latest educational resources.
The opening address was delivered by the college’s principal and chief executive Dame Asha Khemka DBE, who emphasised the need to challenge the perception that young people aren’t adequately prepared for work.
Keynote speakers included Julie Ashton, senior HMI at Ofsted, Beej Kaczmarczyk, director of sector training, and David Matthews, regional apprentice manager at Virgin Media, who all highlighted the need for a change in attitudes towards maths and English.
Managing director of bksb, Harvinder Atwal, said: “The Skills Conference is the culmination of our commitment to providing outstanding English, maths and ICT.
“The day brings together passionate, professional speakers and delegates who share the same vision of improvement and knowledge sharing.
“I can’t believe The Skills Conference is in its sixth year. I want to thank everyone for their support, and everyone who has been involved in the day. It has been the best one yet.”