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Shoestring FE Pathway – Industrial digital skills

About:

Join Shoestring | Digital and the Gatsby Foundation for an event focussed on how students can gain much needed digital skills to thrive in industry placements.

Digital Manufacturing on a Shoestring is an approach based on research from the University of Cambridge that helps smaller companies get started with digital solutions that satisfy real business needs. We are piloting an FE pathway providing students with capability in low-cost digitalisation to take to their local companies.

This event will allow Further Education Colleges, other vocational education providers and skills champions to understand what Shoestring is about, how it is making an impact and shape the future of our next phase.

 

Agenda

  • Session 1: Foundations and 2025/26 Review

    10:00

    Welcome

    Mike Jones, Head of Shoestring, IfM Engage

    10:10

    What is Shoestring about

    Prof Duncan McFarlane, University of Cambridge

    10:30

    Shoestring for FE Pilot 2025/26

    Dr German Terrazas & Holly Sheahan, University of Cambridge

     

    10:50 — Coffee Break

    Session 2: College and Business Perspectives

    11:10

    College & Industry Experience (3 presentations)

    Ahmed Madani, Coventry College

    David O’Neil, Brokenhurst College
    Daniel Hutchings-Sait, Sait CNC

    11:50

    Mini Workshop

    In groups activity to capture support needs and future improvements to the programme

     

    12:30 — Lunch

    Session 3: Industry and Curriculum Integration

    13:30

    Maximising Work Placement Projects (Discussion Panel lead by Holly)
    Neil Davies, UCB

    David O’Neill, Brockenhurst College
    Anshu Williams, SCCB

    Alex Clancy, Yeovil College

    Billy Stafford, Derby College

    14:00

    Breaking the Firewall: Testing the Three Realities of SME Engagement
    What do the findings mean for colleges?

    Daniel Sandford Smith & Sophie Noble, Gatsby Foundation

     

    Session 4: Looking Ahead

    14:40

    Roadmap: The Shoestring for FE 2026/27

    Prof Duncan McFarlane, University of Cambridge

    15:10

    Closing Remarks

    Mike Jones, Head of Shoestring, IfM Engage

Event information

Date

02/07/2026

Time

10.00am -15:30pm

Venue

Friends House, 173-177 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ

Book your ticket
If you are interested in finding out how your company, college or organisation can get involved in the Shoestring programme, or would like to know more, we would love to hear from you!

Please email us at contact@digitalshoestring.net.