National Apprenticeship Week: ConferenceLeeds and BERA support the future of the industry with intern appointment

ConferenceLeeds and the British Educational Research Association (BERA) have shown continued support for the future talent of the conference and events industry, with the appointment of an intern to assist with this year’s BERA conference in Leeds.

BERA is a member-led charity that champions the best of educational research and aims to build momentum within and beyond the field. Dior Webb, an Events Management student at Leeds Beckett University, will begin her internship next month where she will be directly involved with the BERA conference that is being held at the University of Leeds in September. Dior’s role will involve delegate and venue liaison, booking speakers and developing the programme for the event.

Marie Blythe, Events Manager for BERA, commented:
“We know that in this industry getting hands on experience is absolutely vital at the start of your career. As an educational conference we really wanted to offer this opportunity to students in Leeds to help them get their foot in the door and get onto the career ladder.

“When we knew we wanted to bring an intern on we contacted ConferenceLeeds and they were instrumental in putting us in touch with the team at Leeds Beckett and getting the whole process in motion.

“As the UK’s largest educational research conference, Dior will be exposed to all aspects of organising a conference, from planning and delegate liaison, through to execution. Dior will have the opportunity to shape her internship so that it meets her long-term career goals.

Jennifer Young, Associate Director for VisitLeeds and ConferenceLeeds, commented:
“We’re delighted that we’ve been able to support BERA in bringing on an intern and offering such a great opportunity to an aspiring events professional, especially with it being National Apprenticeship Week from 14-18 March. The way in which we worked with the team at BERA to put them in touch with the world-leading UK Centre for Events Management at Leeds Beckett University; shows that our approach at ConferenceLeeds involves much more than helping buyers to organise a conference or event. We work collaboratively with our venues and contacts throughout the city in order to support event organisers as much as possible, in all aspects of their event.”