Early bird tickets priced £180 (plus VAT) are now sale for the Skills for Care national conference on Thursday 8 March 2012 at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow MP has confirmed he will speak at the conference focusing on 'The value of workforce development in tough times'.

In a packed programme of workshops and drop in sessions delegates will discuss how continuing to invest in the development of a well trained and flexible workforce is essential for every social care provider to not only survive but thrive.

This year's conference will bring together a mix of keynote speakers and workshops to give delegates the bigger picture of what is going on in our sector, and how to tackle the new ways of working that impact on the day to day job of providing adult social care.

The conference is aimed at strategic stakeholders including:

• training managers
• training providers
• representatives of employer organisations
• higher education and further education senior staff
• senior staff from local authorities, independent and voluntary sectors

After January 1 2012 tickets will be priced £220 (plus VAT) so to book your place at the early bird rate go to www.skillsforcare.org.uk/conference2012.