The National Apprenticeships Conference 2026

Past Supporters include:

Overview

In June 2025, the UK Government launched their Modern Industrial Strategy, positioning skills and apprenticeships at the heart of an ambitious national reset. Described by the Education Secretary as an “economic and social reset,” this £275 million strategy aims to tackle deep-rooted challenges, including a 20% decline in apprenticeship participation since 2016 and rising youth disengagement, with one in seven young people now not in education, employment or training.

As the Industrial Strategy shifts apprenticeship policy towards growth sectors, shorter and foundation programmes and more flexible levy use, The National Apprenticeships Conference 2026 offers  timely, practical insights into what this means for your organisation, your learners and your workforce.

Join leading voices from government, industry, education and training to explore:

• The evolving policy and funding landscape including the rollout of Foundation Apprenticeships and changes to adult Level 7 provision.
• Innovative employer-provider partnerships that are boosting apprentice success, retention and progression.
• How to future-proof programmes in a changing economy aligning provision with the Industrial Strategy growth-driving sectors (the ‘ IS-8 ‘ sectors) and employer demand.
• Strategies for widening participation and levelling up opportunity through inclusive and accessible apprenticeships.
• The digital transformation of apprenticeship delivery, from AI-enabled learning to new models of assessment.
• What’s next for apprenticeship reform and how stakeholders can shape the future of skills in the UK.

Whether you’re a college, university, employer, training provider or sector leader, this conference offers a vital opportunity to understand and respond to the latest policy developments and upcoming changes shaping the future of apprenticeships.

Agenda

• 9.00am

  Registration

• 9.50am

  Chair’s Opening Remarks

  Dr Becky Quew-Jones, Learning & Teaching Coordinator, University of Portsmouth (CONFIRMED)

  

• 10.00am

  Keynote: Apprenticeships: A Catalyst for Social Mobility, Skills Development and Economic Growth

  • The pivotal role of apprenticeships in supporting the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, with a focus on levelling up communities, improving productivity, and driving regional economic growth through a highly skilled and future-ready workforce.
  • Insights into recent policy developments, including streamlined funding mechanisms, enhanced flexibility for SMEs, the expansion of higher and degree-level apprenticeships and strengthened partnerships between employers and training providers.
  • Aligning apprenticeship provision with emerging sectors and the UK’s evolving skills needs, improving access to clear and consistent information, advice and guidance and implementing new employer-led standards to ensure apprenticeships meet the demands of a dynamic, modern economy

  Sharon Weetman, Head of Youth Employment & Apprenticeships, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (CONFIRMED)

  

• 10.20am

  Keynote: EPA Reform and the Future of Apprenticeship Assessment

  • Examining the reform of EPA’s and how the new apprenticeship assessment model will work in practice
  • Outlining the implications of reform for providers, employers, and assessment organisations, including delivery, funding and quality assurance changes
  • Exploring how assessment responsibilities and regulatory oversight will evolve under the new framework
  • Gain practical insights on how the sector can prepare for and influence the transition to the reformed system.

  Simon Ashworth, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Policy, The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (CONFIRMED)

  

• 10.40am

  Questions and Answers

• 11.00am

  Comfort Break

• 11.20am

  Case Study: Strategic Employer Partnerships: Preparing for the Future of Work

  • Learn how to builds strategic employer relationships to align education with evolving industry needs and regional economic priorities
  • Explore the role of Employer Curriculum Boards in developing real-world insights into curriculum design to ensure students graduate with relevant, in-demand skills.
  • Hear how structured work experience and apprenticeships are integrated into student pathways, bridging the gap between education and employment.

  Allan Milne, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement, Salford City College Group (invited)

• 11.40am

  Driving Inclusion in Apprenticeships: Widening Participation Among Underrepresented Groups

  • Exploring the powerful role of apprenticeships in driving social mobility through skills development and access to rewarding long-term career pathways.
  • Understanding 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, UCAS (CONFIRMED)

  

• 12.00pm

  Questions and Answers

• 12.20pm

  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.

• 12.50pm

  Lunch and Networking

• 1.40pm

  Keynote: EPA Reform: Preparing for the New Apprenticeship Assessment Framework
  

  • Exploring DfE’s plans to reform apprenticeship assessment. The reforms will move away from prescriptive end-point assessments to a more flexible model that allows for assessment during the apprenticeship, allows flexibility in the delivery of that assessment, and intends to remove duplication
  • Learn how synoptic components will test broad skills and knowledge across the apprenticeship, with guidance suggesting they form a substantial portion of overall assessment
  • Hear how awarding organisations will lead assessment strategy and delivery, with Ofqual regulating the process to maintain integrity and align with occupational standards

  Daniel Green, Policy Director, Federation of Awarding Bodies (CONFIRMED)

  

• 2.00pm

  Case Study: Closing the Skills Gap Through Accessible Apprenticeships

  • Exploring how UKAEA’s apprenticeship pathways are widening access to careers in the nuclear and fusion sectors
  • Highlighting the role of Level 2 training in addressing critical skills shortages across nuclear operations and safety
  • Discussing UKAEA and MTC’s approach as a practical case study in building sector-ready talent
  • Demonstrating how accessible, early-stage apprenticeships can support new entrants into specialised nuclear roles

  Steph Wood, Programme Manager, UK Atomic Energy Authority (CONFIRMED)

  

• 2.20pm

  Questions and Answers

• 2.40pm

  Comfort Break

• 3.00pm

  Case Study: Rebalancing Higher Apprenticeships: Funding, Access and the Future of Degree-Level Training

  • Explore the impact of restricting public funding for master’s-level apprenticeships to those aged 21 and under, and what it means for employers and workforce development.
  • Understand the new employer responsibilities for funding older learners on level 7 programmes and the implications for workforce planning and staff retention.
  • Examine the continued growth of health, digital, and business-related apprenticeships at degree level, and how subject popularity is shifting in response to labour market needs.
  • Get up to date on the transition from the Apprenticeship Levy to the Growth and Skills Levy, and what this means for funding flexibility, employer engagement, and system reform.

  Tanya Baney, Head of Apprenticeships, University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education (CONFIRMED)

  

• 3.20pm

  Case Study: Practical Strategies to Improve Apprentice Retention, Success and Progression

  • Explore how best to support apprentices before, during and after their programmes to increase the chances of long-term success.

  • Understand the most common apprentice drop-out points and what employers and providers can do to intervene early.
  • Discover how structured pre-apprenticeship programmes can widen access, improve readiness, and set apprentices up for long-term success.

  Emily Rock, CEO, Association of Apprentices and Director, St Martin’s Group (CONFRIMED)

  

• 3.40pm

  Questions and Answers

• 4.00pm

  Chair’s Closing Remarks

  Dr Becky Quew-Jones, Learning & Teaching Coordinator, University of Portsmouth (CONFIRMED)

  

• 4.10pm

  Conference Close

Get in Touch

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

Policy Director

Policy Director

Federation of Awarding Bodies

Testimonials

Why You Should Attend

• Gain exclusive 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 real-world case studies across all perspectives – from employer best practices to apprentice success stories – to enhance your own approach.

Who Should Attend

Pricing Options

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 (coming soon)

To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below: