Apprenticeships & Training Conference

It's time to reflect on this year's Apprenticeships & Training Conference in Liverpool, starting with the Employer Summit. 🤝   Our Director for Policy & Strategic Partnerships, Paddy Craven FIEP, has summarised five key takeaways from the sessions:   1️⃣ Skills Built to Last: In his keynote, Andy Moss highlighted our conference theme: Transforming Workplaces with Skills Built to Last. The organisations that will thrive are those investing in transferable skills—leadership, creativity, and resilience—that help people navigate change, not just respond to it.   2️⃣ Addressing the NEET Challenge: A recurring theme from the Youth Futures Foundation panel was that we cannot treat the c.1m NEETs as one homogenous group. Different categories require tailored interventions and distinct phases of skills education to create genuine pathways into work.   3️⃣ The Power of Work Placements: Alongside Youth Employment UK and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, we explored how work placements must dovetail with wider talent strategies. Mentor-driven programmes are essential to reversing the erosion of opportunities for young people.   4️⃣ Navigating the Labour Market: The Institute for Employment Studies and Skills England provided a sharp focus on recruitment trends and industrial strategy. We discussed how to better connect learners to work opportunities, addressing the recurring problem of "jobs without people and people without jobs."   5️⃣ Agile Solutions for Growth: Chaired by the Rt Hon Anne Milton and Faiza Khan MBE, our final sessions looked at modular learning and "skills passports" alongside regional interventions. We must ensure skills policy works not just for large organisations, but for the SMEs and local economies that power the UK.   Special thanks to all the organisations that contributed to these vital discussions, including Skills England, the NHS, Amazon, BAE Systems, the British Armed Forces, BBC, and many more.   Take a look at our highlights from the conference below 👇, and stay tuned as we deep dive into some of the insightful conversations that took place.   #CityAndGuilds #ATC2026 #EmployerSummit #Apprenticeships

Proud to have been part of #ATC2026 in #Liverpool — an inspiring gathering for our sector, made even more impactful with City & Guilds as a leading sponsor, whose leadership and legacy in skills development continue to shape the future of our industry. A highlight of the event was Byron Nicolaides’ speech, where he shared a powerful vision for the future. As PeopleCert , now the proud steward of City & Guilds, his message reinforced our #commitment to supporting learners, strengthening skills across industries, and shaping a future where opportunity and excellence are accessible to all. 🌎 A big congratulations to Shane Mann and Scott Forbes for the outstanding organisation and delivery of such an important event — it truly brought the community together in a very meaningful way.🙏🏻 And what a way to close the experience with the Apprenticeship and Training Awards #ATA2026. A fantastic celebration of excellence across the industry, topped off by a truly memorable gala evening. 🥂 Moments like these remind us why our work really matters. Honouring a proud legacy while shaping what comes next — for every #learner, every #skill, every #opportunity. #education #certification #awarding #skills #impact