Last month, the Annual Apprenticeship Conference and Exhibition was held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre. The event, which is part of Further Education Week took place from 16th to 18th March, coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week. A number of IOEE team members attended the conference and one speaker in particular, Shakira Martin, Vice President of the NUS, struck a chord with them.

The Annual Apprenticeship Conference and Exhibition is an event where apprenticeship providers, apprentice employers, assessment bodies and politicans come together to exchange best practice, discuss policy and hear new thinking on all things apprenticeship related. This year’s conference boasted a number of high profile speakers whose vast collective understanding of apprenticeships reach into every area, from education and the economy, to enterprise and employment. BBC journalist Emily Maitlis, who presents Newsnight, brought her years of experience controlling argumentative politicians to the role of conference host, welcoming a number of high-profile figures to take to the stage. Keynote speakers included Vince Cable, who spoke about his time as Secretary of State for BiS, UCAS Chief Executive Mary Curnock Cook who shared her insights on planned new degree apprenticeships, and Lucy Powell MP, the current Shadow Secretary of State for Education, who held a Q&A session. Representatives from City&Guilds, the Association of Colleges and Ofsted, plus employers including Nationwide, Ginsters and Barclays, also took their turn on the podium.

However, of all the key speakers at the conference it was Shakira Martin, Vice President at the National Union of Students, who captured the attention of those representing the IOEE. The IOEE’s Executive Digital Director Nathan Hardwick in particular was impressed by Ms. Martin’s rousing speech championing the apprentice voice and demanding that as the government pushes through radical reforms to apprenticeships, it should listen to what those actually undertaking apprenticeships have to say. Nathan said:

"While we often hear it said that employers’ needs should be at the heart of how we shape future apprenticeships, I fully agree that the needs of the young people actually undertaking the work-based training should also be a paramount concern."

2016 looks set to be a year of big change across apprenticeships, for employers, training providers and apprentices themselves. As legislation, processes and thinking about apprenticeships develops, we’ll be bringing you the latest news, including any developments that arise following the Annual Apprenticeship Conference and Exhibition.