Apprenticeships APPG hosts annual Fair during National Apprenticeships Week with leading employers and training providers in attendance.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships (APPG) yesterday hosted its annual Apprenticeships Parliamentary Fair, a key highlight of National Apprenticeships Week. The event, held in Portcullis House, celebrated the vital role of apprenticeships in shaping the future workforce and contributing to the UK’s economy.

This event brought together over 30 Parliamentarians, leading employers, training providers, and apprentices from diverse industries and sectors. APPG sponsors showcased their outstanding work in advancing apprenticeship programmes, providing parliamentarians and external attendees with the opportunity to engage not just with those directly involved in delivering apprenticeship schemes across England, but also with apprentices themselves.

Exhibiting at this year’s Fair were London South Bank University, Babcock International, Warwick Manufacturing Group, BAE Systems, Manchester Metropolitan University, Multiverse, EngineeringUK, HIT Training, Ada the National College for Digital Skills, and the Coach Core Foundation.

In light of a new Government and recent announcements on Skills England leadership, this year’s Fair underscored the importance of apprenticeships as a pathway to successful careers and economic growth.

Commenting on the significance of the event, Andrew Pakes MP, Co-Chair of the APPG for Apprenticeships, said: “The Apprenticeships APPG’s Parliamentary Fair was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the invaluable contributions apprentices make to our society and economy. It’s also a chance to reflect on how we can continue to improve the apprenticeship system to ensure it delivers for learners, employers and the country.”

The Fair once again served as a dynamic platform for discussions around the successes and ongoing challenges within the apprenticeship system. MPs, Peers, and stakeholders had the opportunity to meet apprentices from various industries and hear first-hand about their educational journey. They also engaged with employers and training providers to gain insight into apprenticeship delivery and learned more about the APPG's ongoing work.

The APPG on Apprenticeships remains committed to supporting and promoting apprenticeship programmes as a critical element of the UK’s skills landscape.