AELP Exchange
Introducing AELP Exchange
From April, we're transforming our member meetings to create deeper collaboration, spark innovation, and enhance engagement across a rapidly evolving skills sector. Building on feedback from members, we're launching AELP Exchange, a new way to support your needs better, strengthen networking opportunities, and maximise the impact of our discussions.
What’s changing?
We’re refining our existing Sector Forums and Special Interest Groups and introducing new Communities of Practice. These groups will provide targeted spaces for collaboration, best practice sharing, and informed policy discussions.
There are three opportunities for members
Designed for managers, practitioners and sector leads, these groups focus on sector-specific discussions with contributions from skills sector representatives. Meetings will be held online, three times a year with sector specific updates and the opportunity for discussion and sharing of best practice.
Designed for senior leaders to explore key policy and programme areas. We’re introducing three new SIGs: Devolution (April 2025), 16-19 Provision (April 2025), and Adult Skills Provision (June 2025). Meetings will be held online, three times a year.
New! Communities of Practice – Phased implementation during 2025, these groups will connecting professionals in key operational roles (Safeguarding, Inspection, and Data Management) to discuss challenges and share insights. Meetings will be held online, twice per year.
Adult Skills Provision Special Interest Group
The Adult Skills Provision group will bring together professionals involved in the planning and delivery of adult education and training. Aligned with national priorities such as lifelong learning, upskilling, and reskilling, the group will provide a forum to explore policy developments, share effective practice, and discuss the operational challenges of delivering adult programmes. Key areas of focus will include Adult Skills Fund (ASF) provision and the evolving role of the employer. Meetings will be held online three times a year, supporting collaboration and insight across the sector.
Community of Practice - Phased implementation during 2025, these groups will connect professionals in key operational roles.
- Inspection: This group brings together professionals with a responsibility/remit for inspection and quality assurance across the post-16 education and skills sector, including inspection nominees and shadow nominees. With a focus on interpreting and responding to Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework, this group will enable members to explore regulatory changes and developments, share effective practice, and support continuous improvement. Meetings will be held online twice per year, with the first meeting on September 9 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. The group will be chaired by Kelley O'Donovan FCA, Managing Director – Essex Region at First Intuition, who brings a wealth of experience in leadership and quality oversight within the training provider landscape.
- Safeguarding: Launching in 2025, the Safeguarding Community of Practice will connect Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and operational staff to engage in peer-led dialogue around evolving safeguarding statutory guidance, responsibilities and best practice. This group will offer a structured forum to address common challenges, share policy developments, and promote a consistent, high-quality approach to safeguarding across post-16 provision. Meetings will be held online twice per year, with a focus on practical implementation and sector-wide improvement.
Get involved!
AELP Exchange is a key member benefit and is free to attend—giving you the opportunity to lead on and shape discussions affecting the skills sector. The more members involved, the more effective our collective voice will become. View upcoming meetings on our events page. AELP members can subscribe to regular email notifications, and book via MyAELP.
Chair roles are available in the following groups:
- Early Years
- Adult Skills
- Safeguarding and Prevent
Deadline for nominations: 4 pm on Monday, 28 July 2025
Becoming a Chair is a fantastic opportunity to take on a leadership role within AELP Exchange. Chairs play a vital part in driving discussions, representing member perspectives, and helping shape the future of skills and employability policy and practice.
You’ll be working closely with peers from across the sector, facilitating collaboration and sharing insights that strengthen our collective voice.
To learn more about sector forums, special interest groups, and communities of practice, please visit AELP Exchange.
If you have any questions about the role or want to learn more about what’s involved, please email [email protected].
Thank you for being part of AELP Exchange!