Leading experts on business learning and development (L&D) from major international and UK organisations will be among the world class speakers at the World of Learning Conference 2009, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham on 30 September & 1 October 2009.
Chaired by BBC news broadcaster and presenter Bill Turnbull, the agenda has been put together following extensive research and consultation with industry leaders on the issues affecting the L&D industry today.
It covers the impact of the current economic climate on businesses, the role of L&D in contributing to business performance, and how L&D professionals can learn the necessary skills to face the challenges of today’s pressures and demands.
The keynote addresses are being delivered by: John McNamara, Chief Executive at the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils, examining how L&D can contribute to better business performance; industry guru Nigel Paine, Managing Director of NigelPaine.com, sharing his views on engaging employees and learners; and Penny Tamkin, Programme Director – Management & Leadership at the Work Foundation, who will look at driving performance improvements through learning.
A further highlight is the Future of Learning Forum, which will feature a leading international panel of experts examining the changing face of learning in the current economic climate.
The panel consists of Martyn Sloman, Visiting Professor at Kingston Business School, Penny Tamkin, Programme Director – Management & Leadership at The Work Foundation, Malcolm Pickup, Head of People Development at TNT UK, and Laura Overton, Managing Director of Towards Maturity.
It will cover issues of how L&D should align itself with changing business priorities, the role of L&D in HR issues and how to maintain momentum in tough circumstances.
The case-study led conference programme will enable delegates to benefit from the opportunity to hear first-hand how a wide range of commercial, public sector and charitable organisations from a variety of industries including media, technology, retail and finance, have approached current L&D challenges.
Among the high profile organisations speaking are Rolls-Royce, Marks and Spencer, Lloyds TSB, British Red Cross, BBC, BT Group, NHS Coventry and Sony Electronics Europe.
