The Future of Apprenticeships Conference

Mark Cameron OBE, Chief Executive of The 5% Club, will speak at Westminster Insight's The Future of Apprenticeships Conference, taking place in London this December.

The conference comes at a point of significant change for the apprenticeship system. The Growth and Skills Levy, the 2026/27 funding rules, Ofqual's new Apprenticeship Assessment Regulatory Framework, and the shift towards shorter apprenticeship units are all reshaping what employers and providers can expect from 2027 onwards. The review of subcontracting rules will add further change.

The programme sets this against a difficult backdrop. Youth apprenticeship starts have fallen 40% over the past decade, while Skills England reports that demand in priority sectors will grow by 24% over the next ten years. Sessions will examine the Government's response, including SME incentives for 16-24 year-old apprentices, foundation apprenticeships, and training programmes for 16-21s.

Discussion will cover:

• The policy context: priorities, pace and direction of travel
• Making the most of the Growth and Skills Levy, funding rules and SME incentives
• Attracting young people into apprenticeships, including foundation apprenticeships and support for those not in education, employment or training
• Assessment reform under Ofqual's new regulatory framework
• Apprenticeship units and flexible, targeted skills development
• Local Skills Improvement Plans and the role of Employer Representative Bodies
• Where skills demand is growing fastest, and where provision falls short

The conference is aimed at employers, training providers, awarding organisations and education settings.