The Learning Co-Lab

 🎙 The Importance of Employer Engagement in Apprenticeships In this episode, Ros and Anne explore why strong employer relationships are critical to the success of apprenticeship programmes. Joined by guests Dean Billington (Apprenticeship Group Wales) and Sam Denne (Silver Assist HomeCare), they dive into what makes employer-provider partnerships work, the vital role assessors play, and how to keep engagement meaningful over time. Packed with real-world insights and practical tips for assessors and training providers—don’t miss this conversation on getting apprenticeship collaboration right. Brought to you by Panda Education and Training Ltd. Find us on LinkedIn  or visit our website.

New Episode Alert – Episode 7: AI in Workplace Education 🤖✨How is AI really being used in workplace learning—and what does it mean for the future of training and education?In this episode, we dive into the world of AI in post-16 workplace education with guest practitioners who are already using AI tools in real-life settings. From adaptive learning platforms to chatbots and automated assessments, we unpack how AI is reshaping the way we teach and learn at work.We explore: 🔹 Real-world examples of AI in training 🔹 The big benefits—and real challenges—of AI in education 🔹 Future trends that every educator should know 🔹 Practical tips and tools for trainers ready to get startedWhether you're an AI enthusiast or feeling unsure about where to begin, this episode offers clear, honest insights to help you navigate the evolving world of workplace learning.🎧 Tune in now and take your first (or next!) step into the world of AI in education.🗣️ Plus – hear about Ros’s upcoming Intro to AI workshops for educators looking to build confidence with digital tools.#AIinEducation #WorkplaceLearning #Post16Education #EducationPodcast #EdTech #TrainerDevelopment #FutureofWork #LifelongLearning Brought to you by Panda Education and Training Ltd. Find us on LinkedIn  or visit our website.

 The Learning Co-Lab | Episode 6: Inclusion in ApprenticeshipsIn this episode of The Learning Co-Lab, the discussion focuses on Inclusion in Apprenticeships—a critical topic in post-16 education. Hosted by Ros Protheroe, Director of Panda Education & Training, the podcast explores the challenges faced by learners with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and how apprenticeships can become more inclusive.The conversation covers two key perspectives: ✔️ Employers – How can they promote inclusivity in apprenticeships? ✔️ Assessors – What can they do to ensure their practice is more inclusive?Co-host Anne Reardon-James, Learning Advisor at Panda Education & Training, also brings her passion for inclusive practice to the discussion. Joining the episode are two expert guests: 🔹 Charlotte Dando – Head of Inclusion and Learner Experience at Cardiff and Vale College 🔹 Nicola Ankin – Disability Consultant and Founder of InexclusionTogether, they share insights, strategies, and practical advice on making apprenticeships more accessible for all learners.🎧 Listen now to gain valuable perspectives on inclusion in apprenticeships.#Inclusion #Apprenticeships #EducationPodcast #LearningCoLab #Accessibility #Diversity #Post16EducationBrought to you by Panda Education and Training Ltd. Find us on LinkedIn  or visit our website.

🚀 New Episode Alert! 🎙️In this episode of The Learning Co-Lab, we dive into the exciting world of Skills Competitions! 🏆✨Join me, Ros Protheroe, and my co-host Rachel Arnold as we chat with:🎤 Paul Evans – Project Director of Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales🎤 Rosie Boddy – Former Airbus Apprentice, WorldSkills competitor & Technical Training OfficerWe’ll uncover:✅ What skills competitions are all about✅ How they benefit learners and boost career prospects✅ Tips for getting your learners involvedIf you’re passionate about post-16 education, skills development, and inspiring learners, this one’s for you! 👏Brought to you by Panda Education and Training Ltd. Find us on LinkedIn  or visit our website.

Welcome to our 4th episode of The Learning Co-Lab, where we collaborate with industry experts and experienced practitioners to bring you hints, tips and advice from the world of post-16 education. In this episode, we are so pleased to be joined by Dr Esther Barrett of Barrett Coaching. who has found a new path in life after a diagnosis 4 years ago of ADHD.  We will be we’re discussing a topic that’s becoming increasingly relevant in education: ADHD in adults.  You might already associate ADHD—Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder—with school-aged children, but what about the learners and colleagues you’re working with now? The reality is, ADHD doesn’t disappear in adulthood, and many people have to navigate the challenges in their every day lives.  As tutors, trainers, and assessors, by understanding how ADHD presents in adults, you can help your learners, or your colleagues unlock their potential rather than being held back by frustrations or challenges they might not even fully understand themselves. We’ll explore how to spot signs of ADHD, what to do if someone suspects they have it, and how educators like you can better support neurodivergent learners.   Brought to you by Panda Education and Training Ltd. Find us on LinkedIn  or visit our website.

Welcome to the third episode of The Learning Co-Lab where we collaborate with industry experts and experienced practitioners to bring you hints, tips and advice from the world of post-16 education. Today, we're diving into strategies for engaging and  perhaps re-engaging learners in work-based learning programs, exploring practical approaches that work across apprenticeships, employability programs, and adult learning.Our guests are Nick Barton, Leadership and Management Trainer/Assessor who has over 25 years of experience in working in the education and training industry and Nikita Tucker, Learning and Development Lead at Cwm Taf University Health Board.  Brought to you by Panda Education and Training Ltd. Find us on LinkedIn  or visit our website.

In our second episode, we talk to Strategic Director at National Training Federation Wales, Lisa Mytton. Lisa talks to us about Medr (Wales’s Commission for Tertiary Education and Research), funding cuts in work based learning, what she is doing to help raise awareness of the struggles training providers are currently experiencing and the benefits of collaboration in education.Brought to you by Panda Education and Training Ltd. Find us on LinkedIn  or visit our website.

In this first episode, dive into our personal journeys in education, and the inspiration behind starting "The Learning Co-Lab"We also chat with award-winning tutor, Anne Reardon-James, who shares her top tips for thriving as an educator in post-16 education and training.  Brought to you by Panda Education and Training Ltd. Find us on LinkedIn  or visit our website.