Genie Connect Summer Conference Series
Summer Conference Series 2026
Employers, providers and stakeholders of the wider apprenticeships and skills sector are invited to join this brand-new Summer Conference Series, brought to you as part of the Genie Connect programme.
What is involved?
Designed for employers, providers and sector stakeholders, this free, online series will unite employers from all sectors to:
- Hear from other apprenticeship employers sharing best practice approaches and inspiration in level 2 and 3 apprenticeships.
- Discuss the current challenges and potential solutions when increasing the supply of vacancies.
- Stay up to date with the latest policy changes and the impact these could have for workforce planning.
Why This Matters
Apprenticeships change lives. For every 10 young people who undertake an apprenticeship, one will get a job who wouldn’t have done so otherwise.
Yet, despite strong employer support for apprenticeships, the number of entry-level opportunities has declined by 72% since 2014/15 – particularly impacting young people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds.
Workshop 1:
Increasing The Supply of Level 2/3 Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship and skills policy has been evolving at a rapid pace, with many sudden and unanticipated changes being made that will impact apprenticeship growth, particularly at level 2 and 3. Alongside this, employers are reporting that the economic conditions and rising costs of employment are affecting their capacity to create entry level roles, whilst the NEET crisis continues to worsen.
Hear from policy makers and employers to explore the current apprenticeship landscape and to discuss the potential solutions and approaches in positively boosting level 2 and 3 apprenticeship opportunities.
Watch the recorded workshop clips below.
Workshop 2:
Utilising apprenticeships to build your talent pipeline
Hear from Amazon, Severn Trent and Morgan Sindall Property Services about how they’re attracting, developing and retaining future-ready talent through apprenticeships.
Watch the recorded workshop clips and access speaker slides below.
Workshop 3:
Utilising apprenticeships to build your talent pipeline
Hear from the TUI Group, Wickes and the Apprenticeship Hub Network about how these organisations can unlock sustainable expansion through apprenticeships looking at different levers for growth, from harnessing supply-chain collaboration, to understanding when over-training can empower pathways into self-employment.
Watch the recorded workshop clips and access speaker slides below.
Workshop 4:
Building the business case for apprenticeships
Hear from the Specsavers, DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) and FCDO Services explore how data, storytelling and leadership engagement can help secure buy-in and grow your apprenticeship offer.
Watch the recorded workshop clips and access speaker slides below.
Share Your Insights
If you have any top tips, templates or advice you’d like to share related to any of the themes, or have additional themes that would be helpful to explore, please just get in touch below.
Looking for more ways to take action?
Youth Futures Foundation’s Make It An Apprenticeship campaign brings together practical actions and employer case studies to help increase Level 2 and 3 apprenticeship opportunities.