The National Apprenticeships Conference 2027
2026 Supporters Included
Overview
Apprenticeships in the UK are undergoing the most significant period of reform in a decade. The Government has introduced the Growth and Skills Levy, launched Skills England and committed £725 million to create 50,000 additional apprenticeship opportunities for young people. Alongside this, reforms to apprenticeship assessment, funding and delivery are intended to create a more flexible and responsive skills system that better meets employer demand and supports economic growth. Employers, providers and policymakers are therefore facing important questions about the future direction of apprenticeships.
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Keynote: Ensuring Apprenticeships Deliver for Employers and Learners
- Assessing the current apprenticeship system and how it provides employers with the skills they need and supports workforce development across different sectors and regions
- Exploring the reforms needed to create an employer-led system, including greater flexibility within apprenticeship delivery and support the labour market demand
- Examining how apprenticeships can better support SMEs and improve access to opportunities in emerging sectors that support the UK’s Industrial Strategy, such as digital transformation and AI
- Considering the role of the Growth and Skills Levy and future policy in creating an effective apprenticeship system that supports growth
Toby Perkins, Co-Chair, APPG for Apprenticeships (invited)
Keynote: Apprenticeship Assessment Reforms
- Reviewing the progress made in delivering assessment reform, including the transition away from traditional end-point assessment towards approaches that reflect occupational competence
- Exploring the role of employers in apprenticeship assessment and the verification of workplace behaviours and the opportunities this presents for strengthening employer ownership
- Examining how assessment plans and greater flexibility in assessment design are maintaining confidence in apprenticeship outcomes
- Considering the next phase of reform and Skills England’s role in creating a more responsive assessment system that supports apprentice success and economic growth
Pam Kaur, Head of Assessment, Skills England (invited)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: Developing the Workforce Through Apprenticeships
- Addressing skills shortages by using apprenticeships to develop talent in areas where recruitment is needed
- Supporting workforce retention and progression through structured development pathways that encourage long-term career growth
- Strengthening capability by developing apprenticeship programmes that support goals and skills shortages within your organisation
- Discussing the value of apprenticeships through outcomes including productivity, workforce development and employee progression.
Dr Fiona Aldridge, Chief Executive, Skills Federation (invited)
Keynote: The Future of Apprenticeship Funding in England
- Evaluating whether current apprenticeship funding arrangements are supporting the government’s ambitions for growth, workforce development and increased opportunities for young people
- Examining whether recent reforms risk creating unintended barriers for smaller levy-paying employers and the consequences this could have for apprenticeship recruitment and workforce development
- Considering how funding policy can balance support for SMEs and young people while maintaining incentives for employers to invest in apprenticeships
- Outlining the changes needed to create a funding system that delivers value for employers, supports providers and expands access to high-quality apprenticeship opportunities
Simon Ashworth, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Policy, Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Lunch Break and Networking
Keynote: Regional Strategies to Support Apprenticeship Opportunities and Employer Engagement
- Exploring how organisations and providers can work together to address regional skills shortages and workforce needs
- Examining the differing apprenticeship challenges and opportunities facing employers across sectors, regions and local labour markets
- Assessing the effectiveness of local skills strategies in increasing employer engagement, widening participation and improving access to apprenticeship opportunities
- Identifying approaches for strengthening regional talent pipelines and ensuring apprenticeship provision support the economy
Pat Carvalho, President, Association of Colleges (invited)
Case Study: Widening Apprenticeship Participation Among Underrepresented Groups
- Exploring the role of apprenticeships in driving social mobility through skills development and access to rewarding long-term career pathways
- Discussing the systemic and structural barriers that prevent underrepresented groups from accessing and completing apprenticeships, including socioeconomic, educational and cultural factors
- Highlighting the strategies and interventions that can remove barriers and widen participation, from inclusive recruitment practices to targeted outreach and support systems
Pete Milsom, Partnerships Manager – Apprenticeships, UCAS (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Breakout Networking
This is a chance to share and discuss how your organisation is adapting to the recent policy changes and preparing for future developments. Learn how peers across the sector are responding to the new requirements, gain fresh insights, exchange ideas and leave with practical strategies that you can take back and apply within your own organisation.
Comfort Break
Keynote: Apprenticeships as a Route into Long-Term Employment
- Examining the opportunities apprenticeships create for individuals seeking to enter and progress within the labour market
- Exploring the partnerships needed providers to support successful transitions into apprenticeships
- Assessing the barriers facing individuals furthest from the labour market and the interventions that can improve access to opportunities
- Considering how apprenticeships can contribute to workforce participation and social mobility while equipping learners with the digital and AI-related skills needed in an evolving labour market
Lesley Campbell-Stephens, Head of Apprenticeships, Department for Work and Pensions (invited)
Case Study: Building Apprenticeship Programmes that Deliver Skills and Progression
- Developing an apprenticeship strategy that supports skills development, ensuring programmes deliver positive outcomes for both employers and learners
- Creating an inclusive recruitment approach that broadens access to apprenticeship opportunities and supports opportunities across different regions
- Ensuring a high-quality apprentice experience through effective workplace development opportunities that improve retention and completion rates
- Measuring impact using data and performance indicators to track participation
Sarah Moors, Head of Apprenticeships, BBC (invited)
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Conference Close
Get in Touch
2026 Speakers
Sharon Weetman
Head of Youth Employment & Apprenticeships
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Simon Ashworth
Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Policy
The Association of Employment and Learning Providers
Pete Milsom
Partnerships Manager
UCAS
Daniel Green
Policy Director
Federation of Awarding Bodies
Testimonials
The National Apprenticeship Conference is excellent to attend if you need an update on apprenticeship provision. The guest speakers were knowledgeable and offered good insights into apprenticeship provision. There were ideas and information for links to resources that are valuable and useful.
A well organised and highly informative event that gave me a wealth of ideas to take back into daily business practice. Thank you.
An insightful day supporting colleagues to jointly navigate the rapidly changing apprenticeship environment.
The National Apprentice Online Conference was informative and easy to follow. The speakers where clear and answered questions well. There was a good blend of speakers shared best practice and talked through varied topics, which made it engaging !!!
Why You Should Attend
✓ Gain insights into the future of apprenticeships with essential policy updates shaping national and local strategies
✓ Get clear guidance on the latest funding changes to maximize your apprenticeship programs and secure long-term support
✓ Expand your network with cross-sector connections and explore collaborations that can elevate partnership success
✓ Learn from case studies across all perspectives from employer best practices to apprentice success stories to improve your own approach
✓ 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
Who Should Attend
| Job Title Examples | Organisation Type Examples |
| Apprenticeship Directors | Sixth Form Colleges |
| Heads of Professional Learning & Development | Further Education Colleges |
| Heads of School | Universities |
| Business Partnership Managers | Academies |
| Apprenticeship Leads and Coordinators | Teaching Hospitals |
| Careers Advisors | Local Authorities |
| Head Teachers | Private Sector |
Pricing Options
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Sponsorship
Raise Your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
