Global conversations about AI and the future of work only matter when they reach the people doing the work. Future of Work Doncaster brings international thinking, including work with the UN on people-centred smart cities, down to the level where it changes lives, and gives Doncaster a place to answer back.
Global
Insight from international research and policy, brought into the room.
City
A shared view of how work is changing in Doncaster, backed by live local data from the Doncaster Pulse.
Community
Employers, educators, charities and young people working it out together.
You
Leave every time more AI literate, with tools you can use on Monday.
Come for the whole day or just the evening. Two-hour workshops build the skills, and the evening brings the city together to decide what happens next.
Daytime workshops
Small groups of up to 20, practical and hands-on.
- 10.00 amRegistration and coffee
- 10.30 amMorning workshop
- 12.30 pmLunch
- 1.00 pmAfternoon workshop
- 3.00 pmBreak and optional park experience
The evening
Around 60 employers, educators, civic leaders and young people.
- 4.00 pmArrival and the live Doncaster Pulse
- 4.30 pmKeynote
- 5.00 pmPanel and open conversation
- 5.40 pmLocal showcase
- 5.50 pmTable exercise using LETGO™ or Work Smart, Live Well
- 6.15 pmFood and networking until 7.00 pm
Each date follows one theme from morning to evening. Open an act to see its workshops and what the evening will produce.
Act IThursday 11 March 2027The Future of Work: what is actually changing?
What is really changing in work across Doncaster, and what is just noise?
AI and automation in local businesses, jobs and tasks that are shifting, productivity, and the skills gaps employers already feel.
Morning workshop, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
AI in Your Business: Your First 90 Days
For: SME owners, managers and professionals who want to use AI safely and well.
You leave with: AI uses tested on your own work, a simple AI policy outline and a personal 90-day adoption plan.
Led by Vanessa Aradia
Afternoon workshop, 1.00 to 3.00 pm
LETGO™ for Leaders: Leading People Through Change
For: Managers and team leaders introducing AI or other change to their teams.
You leave with: A real change mapped through the five LETGO™ steps and a plan for the first team conversation.
Led by Vanessa Aradia
The evening, 4.00 to 7.00 pm
Keynote: A clear-eyed, evidence-based opening on AI and work. Vanessa opens the series, followed by a guest keynote from a regional business or technology leader.
Panel: An SME owner using AI day to day, a college or University Centre Doncaster lead, a Council or Business Doncaster skills lead, and a young person early in their career.
What we will produce: Three Actions for Doncaster, plus the first Pulse baseline.
Act IIThursday 10 June 2027Human Capability in an AI World
As machines do more, which human capabilities matter most, and how do we build them?
Critical thinking, judgement, creativity, communication, collaboration and leadership, drawing on the Doncaster Skills Profile.
Morning workshop, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
The Six Human Skills That Count
For: Managers, HR and L&D professionals, educators.
You leave with: A self-assessment across the six human skills, ways to develop them in a team and a draft Pledge commitment.
Led by Vanessa Aradia
Afternoon workshop, 1.00 to 3.00 pm
Wellbeing and Sustainable Performance
For: People leaders and anyone managing their own workload through change.
You leave with: A personal and team plan for workload, rest and energy in an AI-assisted workplace.
Led by Guest facilitator
The evening, 4.00 to 7.00 pm
Keynote: A leadership, learning or psychology speaker on human capability and judgement.
Panel: An HR or L&D leader, a school or college head, an apprenticeship provider, and a manager from care, logistics or hospitality.
What we will produce: The Doncaster Human Skills Pledge, with employers signing on the night.
Act IIIThursday 16 September 2027The Sustainable Workforce
What skills and jobs will a greener, more resilient Doncaster need?
Green skills, climate adaptation, sustainable organisations, retrofit and energy, food and land, and future industries.
Morning workshop, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
The Resilient Organisation
For: Owners, managers and operations leads.
You leave with: A resilience score across people, money, supply, energy and climate, with five priority actions.
Led by Vanessa Aradia
Afternoon workshop, 1.00 to 3.00 pm
Green Skills in Practice
For: Employers, trainers and anyone building green skills into everyday roles.
You leave with: Practical carbon and sustainability actions for your role, with an option to progress to accredited training.
Led by Guest facilitator (green skills trainer)
The evening, 4.00 to 7.00 pm
Keynote: A sustainability or green economy speaker with a regional focus.
Panel: An energy, construction or logistics employer, a green skills trainer, a community growing or environmental group, and a Council sustainability lead.
What we will produce: Green Skills Briefing for Doncaster Employers.
Act IVThursday 25 November 2027Doncaster 2035
What kind of working life do we want Doncaster to offer in 2035, and what do we start now?
Young people, education, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, demographics, flexible work, wellbeing and the local economy.
Morning workshop, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
Future Skills: Growing Doncaster's Next Workforce
For: Employers, educators, careers advisers and young people together.
You leave with: A shared picture of the skills employers need and practical ideas for work experience, apprenticeships and community projects.
Led by Vanessa Aradia with college partners
Afternoon workshop, 1.00 to 3.00 pm
Own the Shift: Your 2028 Change Plan
For: Leaders and teams planning change for the year ahead.
You leave with: A 2028 change plan built on all five LETGO™ steps, with techniques from LETG@ MOVES.
Led by Vanessa Aradia
The evening, 4.00 to 7.00 pm
Keynote: A civic or economic leader on Doncaster's long-term direction, paired with a short provocation from a young person.
Panel: Led by under-25s, with a business leader and an education leader responding.
What we will produce: Recommendations for Doncaster 2028, the closing chapter of the Outlook.
Three actions for Doncaster. A skills pledge. A briefing for employers. Recommendations for the year ahead. Each date adds to a growing body of work, brought together each January in The Doncaster Future of Work Outlook.
Key Insights Pack
A designed summary of the day, in every attendee's inbox within seven days.
CPD certificate
Two hours of learning for each workshop, with outcomes, sent within two days.
Your action plan
Built during the workshop and ready to use at work the next morning.
Places are deliberately limited so every conversation counts.
Evening
Early bird £15, standard £25, student and community £10
One workshop
Includes lunch, the evening and a CPD certificate. Early bird £75, standard £95
Full day
Both workshops, lunch and the evening
Team of three
Three places on one workshop
Season pass
All four 2027 evenings, saving £20
Accountant, TEDx speaker and author of Work Smart, Live Well and LETGO™.
Thirty years across the accounting and tax industry, a master's in AI leadership and Chartered Manager status. Vanessa contributes to the UN Working Group on People-Centred Smart Cities in the AI Era, founded Growing Britain and serves as a Doncaster parish councillor.
Hex Connect, Yorkshire Wildlife Park
A conversation about adaptation and resilience, held somewhere built around conservation and ecosystems. [Venue to be confirmed]