Skills Minister joins Parliamentary Apprenticeships Fair

Skills Minister joins Parliamentarians, employers and apprentices at Parliamentary Apprenticeships Fair during NAW2026

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Apprenticeships hosted its annual Parliamentary Apprenticeships Fair in Westminster yesterday morning, marking its flagship event during National Apprenticeships Week.

The Fair celebrated the vital role apprenticeships play in shaping the UK’s future workforce and driving economic growth, with our sponsors showcasing their outstanding work in delivering high-quality apprenticeship programmes across England.

Bringing together almost 30 Parliamentarians, leading employers, training providers and apprentices, attendees were able to engage directly not only with those designing and delivering apprenticeship schemes, but also with apprentices themselves, hearing first-hand about their experiences and achievements.

Exhibiting at this year’s Fair were BAE Systems, Babcock International, London South Bank University, Warwick Manufacturing Group, Manchester Metropolitan University, Multiverse, The Opportunity Provider Ltd., Coach Core Foundation, First Intuition, the Co-operative Group and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

The event took place against the backdrop of the Government’s recent announcement of a major skills boost for Britain’s growth sectors, including new ‘fast-track’ apprenticeship reforms and proposals for a new clearance-style apprenticeship system. In this context, the importance of apprenticeships in equipping individuals with high-quality skills and supporting priority sectors has never been clearer.

Commenting on the significance of the Fair, Toby Perkins MP, Co-Chair of the APPG on Apprenticeships, said: “It was great to hear the passion for apprenticeships in the room, and bring together Parliamentarians, employers, and apprentices from diverse industries and sectors to acknowledge and celebrate the important role of apprenticeships.”

Speeches were also delivered by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister of State for Skills, and Praful Nargund, the Work and Pensions Secretary’s Skills Adviser, who reflected on the Government’s reform agenda and the importance of collaboration between industry and policymakers.

The APPG on Apprenticeships remains committed to championing apprenticeship programmes as a central pillar of the UK’s skills landscape and looks forward to continuing its engagement with Parliamentarians, employers and apprentices throughout the year.