Co-operative Education in Wales

Co-operatives and Mutuals Wales
cordially invite you to take part in a roundtable discussion
on Saturday 19th November 2016 at Cartrefi Cymru, Cardiff

The overarching theme for the discussion is:

How do we create co-operators?
What is the meaning and relevance of Co-operative Education?

Our objectives will be to:
(a) Examine Co-operative Education – past, present and future,
(b) Identify the necessary skills and competencies required to support co-operative enterprise development,
(c) Discuss how we can do this in Wales.

The programme for the day comprises a mix of keynote interventions from 4 speakers, and facilitated group discussions. Topics are:

• Peter Couchman, Chief Executive, Plunkett Foundation: The Relevance of Co-operative Education
• David Palmer, Wales Co-operative Centre: Education and training gaps in Housing
• Joe Allen, ABCUL Policy Officer for Wales: Education and training gaps from a Credit Union’s perspective
• Simon Parkinson, Principal, the Co-operative College: Opportunities for Co-operative Education

The outcomes of the final group discussions will be collated into a report and circulated, and should go some way towards answering the questions: Co-operative education in Wales: What works? What else needs to happen? How can we make this happen? What’s next?

This event is being generously hosted by Cartrefi Cymru. We have limited capacity for this date, and are inviting attendees personally in order to ensure a diverse mix of sectors and roles around the table and ensure maximum participation. We are charging £10 per head, payable on booking, to cover the costs of food, refreshments and producing the event report.

The November 2016 event aims to establish context and refine focus. It will be followed by another in March 2017 with the objective of turning discussion outcomes into concrete actions and advancing the delivery and implementation of Co-operative Education in Wales.

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SPEAKERS:

Peter Couchman (The Relevance of Co-operative Education)

Peter is Chief Executive of the Plunkett Foundation, which supports rural communities to take control of the issues that matter to them, such as saving their shop, pub or supporting local food. In 2013, it became the first organisation ever to be was awarded the Rochdale Pioneers Award, the highest award of the international co-operative movement, for its contribution to co-operation.

David Palmer (Education and training gaps in Housing)

David Palmer became Co-operative Housing Project Manager at the Wales Co-operative Centre in November 2012. Prior to this, David worked at Persimmon Homes, Marches Housing Association, Bristol City’s Neighbourhood Housing Department, Family Housing Association in Birmingham, and extensively as a local government manager in South Wales. David is a chartered Architect by profession and a member of the GMB Union, and has been Secretary of a Friendly Society – Afon Lwyd Housing Society.

Joe Allen (Education and training gaps from a Credit Union’s perspective)

Joe Allen is the Welsh Policy Officer for the Association of British Credit Unions Ltd (ABCUL). ABCUL is the leading credit union trade association in Great Britain and it represents over 65% of members in Wales. Credit union membership in Wales has doubled in the past 10 years and now stands at 80,000. Joe has recently worked with credit unions to produce the sector's first independent national strategy.

Simon Parkinson (Opportunities for Co-operative Education)

Simon is the Chief Executive and Principal at the Co-operative College, which he joined in March 2015 having previously worked at Royal Mencap Society, the country’s leading charity for people with learning disabilities. At the Co-operative College Simon is building on the strong foundations of the past whilst creating a new, vibrant, innovative and relevant heart for Co-operative education. Simon grew up in Salford and attended both Salford University and Warwick University and has a Masters degree in Public Administration.