The Skills and Education Group have announced three exciting new developments to help member organisations get more out of their membership.

The new online Membership Hub, the opening of grant applications via the Skills and Education Group Foundation, and an improved events booking system for professional development networks mean there’s no better time to be a member of the Group.

The Hub brings all the best features of membership together in one place, with access to events, resources (from early January) and a membership directory. Hub profiles give members the chance to showcase their experience and areas of interests for others to see.

The Hub takes these interests and uses them to send you personalised information in your Member Dashboard. Here you’ll see announcements and news relevant to you, along with events that you may be interested in and profiles of other members with similar interests.

Above all, the Hub makes it easier for you to collaborate, share with and learn from other members. Once the Resources section is live, you will be able to access and rate useful resources uploaded by other members, and upload your own to share best practice with others.

You can also view the profiles of other members and connect with them over email or social media through the Membership Directory.

The new events booking system not only makes it easier to book your place at an event, it also gives you the chance to network with other attendees both before and after the event. The ‘My Events’ section of the Hub contains both your upcoming and past events so you can see who else is attending similar events to you, leave your comments on the event, and continue to communicate with other attendees after it has taken place.

We also have news of the latest arm of the Skills and Education Group, the Skills and Education Group Foundation. The Foundation champions social mobility in the further education and skills sector, highlighting the role further education and skills providers play in transforming people’s lives. The Foundation aims to:

• Become a voice for and raise the profile of social mobility
• Engage in project-based activity and research relating to further education
• Provide grants to help centres support learners
• Recognise organisations, staff and learners for their work in improving social mobility

Along with offering grants, the Foundation also provides recognition through annual awards and represents the further education sector at a national level.

Not a member of the Group? Find out how your organisation can access the Hub, the Foundation and all the other benefits of membership here.