We are proud to be a sponsor of the ERSA Conference 2025, a flagship event bringing together leaders, innovators, and practitioners from across the employability and skills sector to explore solutions to Get Britain Working. As one of the eight Restart primes that make up the ReAct Partnership, we are delighted to play an active role in shaping the national conversation on employment support, collaboration, and the future of work.
Taking place on 25 November, the conference features a dynamic programme of keynote speakers, policy discussions, and practical workshops designed to support sector-wide improvement and impact. We are especially pleased that two of our AKG leaders are directly contributing to the workshop programme, sharing insights from our delivery experience and partnership working.
Lisa Nixon, our Director of Employer Engagement, is taking part in the breakout session “Working with Partners and Employers: Lessons from ReAct to Inform Get Britain Working.” This interactive workshop explores effective strategies for building and managing relationships with employers and delivery partners, drawing on learning from the ReAct collaboration and helping shape approaches for the next phase of national employment support. Lisa will join sector colleagues to pose questions and challenges that matter most to frontline teams, commissioners, and providers, placing partnership at the centre of better outcomes for jobseekers.
Heidi Fish, Operations Director for AKG Health, will also feature in a breakout session spotlighting the ‘Steps to Your Goal’ pilot, delivered in Middlesbrough from June 2024 to January 2025. This session, co-led with the Centre for Ageing Better and Triage, will share:
- insights from a coach-led, holistic employment support model
- evaluation findings from the pilot programme
- what works in supporting people in their 50s and 60s to move closer to work
- learning from extensive co-design with participants and local communities
The session highlights the importance of wraparound, person-centred support in helping people navigate employment, health, and life transitions, an area in which we continue to innovate through AKG Health.
The conference agenda has a real variety of themes, from AI in employment services and neighbourhood-based delivery models to employer engagement strategies and integrated health and employment support.
A number of our colleagues will be attending, taking the opportunity to share successes, learn from other providers, and bring fresh ideas back into our programmes.
The day concludes with the Employability Awards 2025, where we are proud to be sponsoring one of the award categories. We’re also thrilled that a number of our own services and learners have been shortlisted for awards this year, and we’ve definitely got our fingers crossed as we prepare to celebrate their achievements.
Our CEO, Ayden Sims, will be presenting one of the evening’s awards, recognising outstanding achievement across the sector and celebrating the individuals and organisations making a meaningful difference. Ayden reflects:
“Being part of the Employability Awards is a highlight of the year. The stories behind these achievements remind us why this work matters so much. I’m incredibly proud of what the sector delivers every day, and honoured to recognise the individuals and teams making such a positive impact.”
We are proud to support this important sector-wide event, and even prouder of the colleagues representing AKG on the national stage.
Related articles:
- AKG Proudly Sponsors and Attends ERSA Reception at the House of Commons
- AKG UK Shortlisted for the ERSA Awards 2025
To learn more about how AKG delivers high-quality employment support across the UK, visit our programmes page or contact our team to discuss partnership opportunities.
You can also keep up with sector insights, event updates and stories from across AKG by exploring our latest news.
