Employer Summit | Apprenticeships and Training Conference

EMPLOYER SUMMIT

Transforming workplaces with skills built to last

The Employer Summit at ATC 2026 is a dedicated programme designed exclusively for employers overseeing apprenticeships, training, and workforce development within their organisations.

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The Employer Summit at ATC 2026 is designed exclusively for employers leading apprenticeships, training, and workforce development within their organisations.

Across two days, the summit will tackle some of the most pressing workforce challenges facing employers today. Day one will focus on the NEET challenge, exploring how employers can support young people to re-engage, build skills and access meaningful routes into work. Day two will take a broader look at skills gaps across the economy, examining how more flexible routes into work can support people to retrain, return to employment and progress, while also exploring what it takes to build a skills system that drives long-term growth, productivity and opportunity for organisations of all sizes, including SMEs.

The summit will feature a focused block of curated sessions, including keynote presentations, employer case studies, and panel discussions. Attendees will also have full access to all ATC 2026 content, allowing them to dip in and out of the broader conference programme, engage with the exhibition, and participate in wider networking opportunities. This flexible structure ensures a tailored yet immersive experience for employers looking to stay ahead in a competitive and tech-driven landscape.

Ticketing Information To attend the Employer Summit, you must select the 'Employer' ticket option when registering for ATC 2026.

Content

The Employer Summit at ATC 2026 provides employers with a dedicated space to step back and think strategically about workforce development in a fast-moving, tech-driven economy. Designed for those leading apprenticeships, training and skills within their organisations, the summit focuses on practical, real-world approaches to adapting, growing and staying competitive.

Across two days, participants will explore how to address the NEET challenge, respond to skills gaps, and build more flexible routes into work that support people to retrain, return to employment and progress. Sessions will examine how durable skills, including leadership, adaptability, critical thinking and communication, can be embedded into workforce strategies, alongside the role of emerging technologies in shaping the future of work.

Attendees will leave with clear, actionable takeaways, from frameworks for upskilling and future-proofing their workforce to practical ideas for developing leadership capability across teams. Summit attendees also benefit from full access to the wider ATC 2026 programme across both days.

Agenda

Timings - Day One - 2 March
Timings - Day Two - 3 March

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Welcome and Introduction

14:15

The NEET Reality: What the Numbers Really Tell Us

14:25

A punchy briefing on the UK’s growing NEET challenge. We’ll cut through the noise with the latest data, spotlight who’s being left behind, and explore the pressures driving the rise. A sharp scene-setter to ground the summit in the real scale, and urgency, of the issue.

Work-Ready or System-Ready? How Employers Can Adapt to Unlock Young Talent

14:55

Young people aren’t lacking potential, they’re lacking accessible pathways. This panel will explore how employers and FE can co-create system-ready workplaces that reduce the NEET gap and build stronger, more inclusive talent pipelines.

Refreshment Break

15:40

During our break, take the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and network with fellow attendees.

The NEET Fix: Hackathon

15:50

A practicial workshop where we mix FE know-how with employer insight to design a better system for tackling the NEET challenge. It’s a chance to strengthen relationships, spark new ideas and work together on one of society’s biggest issues. Ideas will be captured through live illustration providing attendees with an actionable blueprint to take back to their organisations.

Return to Main Programme

16:45

Employer Summit closes for Day 1 and attendees will return to the main conference programme for Plenary 2.

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Welcome and Day 1 Recap

09:20

State of the Nation: The Current Skills Landscape

09:35

A big-picture view of where the UK labour market is heading, the skills gaps holding back growth, and what employers need now and next.

In Conversation with Skills England

10:15

During this fireside chat hear from Gemma Marsh in conversation with FE Week's Editor, Shane Chowen.

Skills Gaps: Faster Routes to Talent

10:45

Skills shortages continue to hold back growth and limit opportunity across the UK. This session brings together employers, policymakers and education leaders to explore how smarter, more flexible routes into work can support people to retrain, return to employment and progress, while also helping organisations grow and sustain their own workforce.

We’ll look at the role of digital credentials, modular learning and high-quality training pathways in building confidence, recognising skills and opening doors to work. The discussion will also examine how changes to the Growth and Skills Levy could create greater flexibility and impact, enabling employers to invest in the skills they need today and develop the talent they’ll rely on tomorrow.

Moderated by: The Rt. Hon Anne Milton

Panellists: Gemma Marsh, Deputy Chief Executive, Skills England; Charlotte Bosworth, Group Chief Executive, Lifetime Training; Patrick Craven, Public Affairs, Partnerships and Engagement Director, City & Guilds and Tony Pitchford, Head of Commercial Partnerships, The Chartered Institute for IT (BCS).

Refreshment Break and Return to Main Conference

11:35

During our breaks, take the opportunity to enjoy refreshments, visit our exhibitors, and network with fellow attendees. Attendees will rejoin the main conference agenda until 14:40.

Skills Gaps: Growth for All The Economy

14:40

Closing skills gaps is not just about faster routes into work, it’s about creating a skills system that supports long-term growth, productivity, and opportunity across the whole economy.

This panel brings together policymakers, education leaders, and SME voices to explore how reforms such as the Growth and Skills Levy could reshape how employers invest in skills. Rather than focusing on individual pathways, the discussion will examine how greater flexibility, local decision-making and employer-led investment could help businesses of all sizes plan, grow and adapt their workforce over time.

The session will focus on creating the conditions for inclusive economic growth, ensuring that skills policy works not just for large organisations, but for SMEs, local economies and the people who power them.

Return to Main Conference Programme

15:40

Employer Summit closes and attendees are invited to the closing Network Drinks Reception.

Who should attend?

The Employer Summit is designed specifically for professionals involved in shaping and delivering workforce development strategies within their organisations. This includes individuals responsible for apprenticeships, staff training, skills development, and organisational learning. Ideal attendees are:

Senior leaders
HR directors and managers
Learning and development leads
Talent and workforce development professionals
Apprenticeship managers and coordinators
Operations and business leaders with a training remit

This summit is not aimed at education or training providers, but instead offers tailored content and networking opportunities for employers seeking to enhance their internal training programmes, respond to skills gaps, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving employment landscape. If you’re committed to building a future-ready workforce, this summit is for you.

Register

To attend the Employer Summit, you must select the ‘Employer’ ticket option when registering for ATC 2026.

Who it’s for:

Large and SME employers delivering apprenticeships and workplace training
In-house learning & development teams
HR professionals and training leads
Employer-provider organisations
Employer representative bodies

£499

One Day Ticket

Access to one day of ATC and the Employer Summit - including keynotes, workshops, exhibition, lunch and networking receptions.

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£799

Full Conference

Access to both days of ATC and the Employer Summit - including keynotes, workshops, exhibition, lunch and networking receptions.

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Contact Us

Have questions about registering for ATC 2026? Our team is here to help. Whether you’re booking for yourself or a group, or need support with ticket options, just get in touch, and we’ll be happy to assist and ensure your registration process is smooth and straightforward.

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© Educationscape Ltd. 2026

The Apprenticeships and Training Conference is owned and operated by EducationScape Ltd. Registered in England and Wales. No. 7423341. VAT Number: 103586724 Registered address: Old Rectory, South Kilvington, Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 2NL