Welcome    

This month has been an intense and busy one at CDN, with the delivery of a range of exciting and popular events as part of our annual Emporium of innovation-focused networking and CPD opportunities.

I was delighted to welcome Shirley-Anne Somerville, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science to deliver the keynote address at our Gender Equality Conference on 20 June. A variety of fantastic speakers and participants explored key drivers around gender equality and shared best practice from across the education and vocational landscape.

The finale of the CDN Emporium 2017 asked: how good are we at developing employability in our learners? More than 200 participants were challenged to identify what they would improve or do differently in response to their learning from the day.

We were also delighted with our 'To VC or not to VC' event in June, where tech experts from across industry, colleges and universities gathered to discuss the future of remote communications for education. This event is helping us to review how we improve VC opportunities in our own work at CDN, learning from sector expertise.

Looking ahead to next session, a number of important events are already planned, including a vibrant Food and Drink Careers Expo, which is open to staff, students and employers.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you wish to discuss our work in more detail:
jim.metcalfe@cdn.ac.uk  

    
Jim Metcalfe, Chief Executive, College Development Network (CDN)

 
Good progress on gender but more to be d one 
The Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Shirley-Anne Somerville opened the Gender Equality Conference on 20 June, saying: 'Education has to play an integral role in challenging gender stereo types and colleges play an important part on that.' She went on to say: 'The college sector is doing a great deal in terms of gender equality ... but we need to push that progress further.'
Watch the Minister's full address  

How go
od are we at developing employability in learners?   
CDN's employability conference took place on 23 June and attracted more than 200 participants, who enjoyed a day of learning and networking. The conference took place in a marquee at West Lothian College, where delegates had the chance to engage with a variety of initiatives and organisations. To accompany the event, the CDN website highlights many of the policies and frameworks that impact on developing employability and essential skills and these are on the CDN website.
Food and Drink Careers Expo         
Around 27,000 jobs will emerge from Scotland's food and drink sector between now and  2030. CDN's Food and Drink Careers Expo will provide information to staff and students about how to get involved in one of Scotland's fastest growing industries. This event will be hands-on and interactive, from cooking demonstrations to scientific experiments. Participants will experience the supply chain from fork to plate and learn about the wide range of careers on offer, including within manufacturing and engineering. 
Book your place 

June in numbers
We welcomed 774 delegates to 14 events; heard from a range of fantastic speakers, including the Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science and the Chair of Scottish Golf.
In addition, we were delighted to include a number of students, including Craig Davidson, student in HNC Care and Administrative Practice at Glasgow Clyde College, who provided a popular and inspirational workshop session. 

Over the past four years:

   
 
  
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