Title: Skills for Growth – AI and Workforce Capability

Venue: Kents Hill Park, Swallow House, Timbold Drive, MK7 6BZ

Description: Join us the Milton Keynes Business Expo on the 12th November where we will be running a seminar around the way AI is changing how we work.  Our Headline Sponsor BPP will be sharing their expertise to bring your an informative and engaging seminar designed to make you think about how this can and will affect business now and in the future.

Seminar Details:
AI is changing the way every business works, but technology is only part of the answer. To grow with confidence, businesses also need strong managers, commercially aware teams and access to the right professional skills, from HR and finance to accounting, legal and business support. This practical one-hour workshop will help you step back, spot the gaps and identify funded ways to build the workforce your business needs for now and the future.

Understand how AI is reshaping roles, entry-level jobs and workforce capability.
Reflect on the skills your business needs to boost productivity, growth and profitability.
Explore practical ways to upskill, reskill and bring in new young talent.
Learn how apprenticeships, apprenticeship units, short courses and other programmes can support your skills needs.

Speakers:
Nicki Hay MBE, Director of Policy, Apprenticeship Strategy at BPP
Nicki Hay MBE is a respected leader in UK skills, apprenticeships, further and higher education. With over 30 years’ experience, she plays a key role in shaping national workforce development and high-quality apprenticeship provision. Nicki is Chair of AELP, Trustee of WorldSkills UK and a Board Member of Skills England. Awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2021 New Year Honours for services to further education and apprenticeships, she continues to champion learner outcomes, employer needs and the future of the UK skills system.

Emma O’Dell, Skills and Capability Director
Emma previously worked in the Financial Services and Legal sectors across a range of HR, Early Career, Talent and Learning and Development roles.
At BPP she is responsible for helping organisations understand current and future skills needs across their business. In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, shifting job markets, and complex global challenges, all of which are changing the landscape of skills requirements, Emma actively works to understand recent trends around talent shortages in the skills market and advocates for bridging these gaps.

Nikki Botterill, Director of Skills and Employer Engagement Strategy
Nikki focuses on turning employer skills challenges into practical, funded workforce solutions. She works with businesses, policy stakeholders and regional partners to unlock apprenticeship opportunities and build clear routes for attracting, developing and retaining talent. Having built her career across training providers, an awarding body and inspection, Nikki brings deep sector insight into quality, compliance, assessment and learner outcomes. In her current role, she helps employers move from challenge to action, creating solutions that support growth, productivity and future talent pipelines.