08:45 am
Registration, Refreshments and Networking
09:30 am
Chair’s Welcome Address
Caren Alderwick
Head of Apprenticeships and Operational Training
Cross Country Trains (CONFIRMED)
09:40am
Keynote Address from the Shadow Minister For Skills: The Future of the Apprenticeships System
With a General Election looming, all eyes are on what a new government will means for the future of the skills system, the approach to apprenticeships and what the sector can expect in 2025 and beyond. This opening keynote address will offer a vital update from the Shadow Minister of Skills.
Seema Malhotra MP
Shadow Minister for Skills (CONFIRMED)
10:00 am
An IfATE Update: Next Steps on Raising Apprenticeship Standards
The IfATE approach to review and future decision making on funding bands
Looking towards an employer-led approvals systems for technical qualifications under the new lifelong loan entitlement from 2025
What next on ‘raising the standards’ on apprenticeship quality?
Exploring progress on enhancing completion rates for apprentices reaching end point assessment
Beth Chaudhary
Strategy Director
Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) (CONFIRMED)
10:20 am
Keynote Address
Anthony Impey MBE
CEO, Be the Business
Chair, Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (CONFIRMED)
10:40 am
Questions and Answers Session
11:00 am
Networking Break
11:30 am
The Route to a Simplified and More Impactful Apprenticeships System
Evaluating our approach to apprenticeship reform and how flexibility can be built into the system
Reducing burden on providers and working towards a more simplified approach on endpoint assessment
Managing steps for a transparent and routine review of funding rates to ensure they match the real cost of delivery
Matching apprenticeship budgets to funding raised through the apprenticeship levy
Developing a more balanced system that supports apprenticeship uptake at all ages and levels
Simon Ashworth
Director of Policy
AELP (CONFIRMED)
11:50 am
Enhancing the Quality of End Point Assessments (EPA) Across the Apprenticeship System
Ofqual’s developing approach to regulating the quality of end point assessments
The state of the end point assessment organisation (EPAO) market
Key takeaways from end point assessment outcomes data
Outcomes from the review of the assessment of reformed Functional Skills qualifications in English and Maths
Jessica Lewis-Bell
Associate Director, Strategic Relationships
Ofqual (CONFIRMED)
12:10 pm
Assessing the Quality of Degree Apprenticeships – An Office for Students Update
Collaborating with Ofsted in monitoring apprenticeship quality
The OfS approach to external quality assurance approach of registered providers delivering integrated higher and degree apprenticeships
How end point assessment quality is evaluated by the OfS assessment team
Jessica Wood
Head of Apprenticeships Assessment
Office for Students (OfS) (CONFIRMED)
12:30 pm
Networking Lunch
1:30 pm
Overcoming Barriers on Functional Skills: Designing Impactful Change for Apprentices
How can functional skill qualifications remain robust, whilst distinct from GCSE exams?
Why are FSQ’s presenting a barrier to both uptake and completion on apprenticeship programmes?
The next steps to embedding vocational intent into the design and delivery of functional skills
What needs to change to support FSQ’s that are commercially viable for providers?
How can providers overcome existing challenges on functional skills to support successful outcomes for apprentices?
Dr Chihiro Kobayashi
Research Associate
AELP (CONFIRMED)
Heather Akehurst OBE
Chief Executive
Open Awards (CONFIRMED)
Rachel Coopey
Head of Essential Learning and Skills
Crosby Management Training (CONFIRMED)
Ashley Gallagher
Head of Functional Skills, Financial and Digital Apprenticeships
Colchester Institute (CONFIRMED)
2:00 pm
Unlocking AI in Apprenticeships Delivery: Harnessing Tools to Enhance the Apprentice Experience
Exploring practical solutions for embedding AI into teaching and training delivery
Embedding AI skill development into apprenticeship design
Assessing the potential for AI tools to advance the apprentices experience and transform approaches to teaching
Managing the limitations of AI with apprentices and evaluating ethical and privacy challenges
Thomas Burton
Head of Apprenticeship Delivery Employer Engagement and Commercial Partnerships
York St John University (CONFIRMED)
Matt Elson
Director of Training (Skills Bootcamps & AEB)
Just IT (CONFIRMED)
Cassandra Baxendale
Business Development Director
Metaverse Learning (CONFIRMED)
2:30 pm
Networking Break
2:50 pm
Breaking the Deadlock on Completion Rates: What Next?
Designing system-wide solutions on overcoming the structural barriers to low completion rates
Examining why high non-completion rates exist and the decision-making process of apprentices
Considering best practice on how completion rates can be enhanced and the route for providers in improving outcomes
Analysing the role of employers in supporting completion and how they develop an environment that maximises success
Building a sector roadmap for meeting the government’s completion rate target of 67% by 2025
Claire Barker
Senior Policy Manager, Skills and Industry
Association of Colleges (CONFIRMED)
Andrew Hall
Skills and Technical Education Senior Manager
The Careers and Enterprise Company (CONFIRMED)
Gemma Hart
Head of Apprenticeships Learning
Dudley College (CONFIRMED)
Paula Reynier
Head of Apprenticeships
Leeds Trinity University (CONFIRMED)
Hannah Connors
Head of Apprenticeship Delivery
Network Rail (CONFIRMED)
3:20 pm
The Viability Question: Delivering Outstanding Apprenticeships Amid Persistent Inflationary Pressures
Delivering programmes amid increased cost pressures and persistent inflation
Overcoming the challenge of changes to standards resulting in increased delivery costs whilst funding rates remain the same
The key questions on financial viability facing providers and assessment organisations
Exploring options on adapting delivery models to ensure quality and value for money
What needs to change on teaching, off-site training and assessment to support commercial viability
Managing employer expectations and relationships in a challenging funding context
Dr Mandy Crawford Lee
Chief Executive
UVAC (CONFIRMED)
John McNamara
Interim Chief Executive
Federation of Awarding Bodies (CONFIRMED)
Tanya Baney
Group Head of Apprenticeships
The Bedford College Group (CONFIRMED)
3:50 pm
Conference Close
*Programme subject to change