Digital Skills for FE Industry Placements

Join us to celebrate the success of the Shoestring for FE pilot and shape the future of low-cost digital innovation in Further Education.
About this Event

The Shoestring FE Pathway

Digital Manufacturing on a Shoestring is redefining how FE colleges support local manufacturing SMEs. After a successful year of working with pilot colleges nationwide, we invite you to learn and understand the impact of low-cost digitalisation on post-16 vocational student outcomes and regional productivity.

What you will gain:

• Strategic Alignment: Learn how Shoestring aligns with Institute of Technology (IoT) goals and Gatsby Foundation priorities.
• Supporting Industry Placements: Explore how Shoestring addresses "pain points" in work experience by providing structured, low-cost digital projects for students.
• Networking: Connect with FE leaders, work experience coordinators, and industrial partners from across the UK.
• First Look: Be the first to see the 2026/27 activity plan and secure your college’s place in the next phase.

Featured Sessions:

• Industrial Impact: A keynote from a participating manufacturer on the value of FE-led digital intervention.
• The Skills Landscape: Opportunities and challenges in 2026 with the Gatsby Skills Team.
• The 2027 Roadmap: A collaborative session to define the future of the Shoestring FE ecosystem.