Event Summary

Holyrood Insight’s annual The Future of Apprenticeships Scotland Conference will take place in Edinburgh this November.

The Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Act puts apprenticeships on a statutory footing for the first time, streamlines funding, and creates new governance structures. With Scotland’s apprenticeship system undergoing its most significant reform in a generation, this national conference will help you understand what the new system and funding landscape will look like in practice.

You will hear a keynote address from the Scottish Funding Council on the next steps for apprenticeships, including the Review of Modern Apprenticeship (MA) Contribution Rates.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Scotland and the Scottish Training Federation will focus on meeting the needs of the Scottish economy through Foundation, Modern, and Graduate Apprenticeships, as well as strengthening employer engagement. We will hear from Skills Development Scotland and Jennifer Davies, Co-Chair of the Apprenticeships Approval Group, on the potential for framework modernisation and flexibility.

Take part in expert panel discussion with NHS Education for Scotland, Scottish Engineering, and the Scottish Training Federation, to set out the challenges of accessing and navigating Modern Apprenticeships, and strategies to drive uptake and regional reach, and improve completion rates.

We will hear about the role of schools in developing partnerships with local businesses to boost career readiness, and the delivery of industry-recognised qualifications through Foundation Apprenticeships.

Stereotypes and stigma remain stubborn barriers – we will set out practical steps to challenge perceptions and build parity of esteem with higher education. You will hear about the potential for widening participation and improving social mobility through Graduate Apprenticeships, by providing an alternative route to a university degree.

Don’t miss this opportunity to come together with colleagues from across government, business, and tertiary education to discover the next steps in apprenticeship reform in Scotland.

Key Outcomes

  • The establishment of a new Apprenticeship Committee
  • Preparing for changes to governance and funding frameworks
  • The review of Modern Apprenticeship funding
  • Aligning apprenticeship pathways with Scotland’s future workforce and economic priorities
  • Expanding access to Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships across regions and sectors
  • Strengthening employer engagement and increasing SME participation in apprenticeship programmes
  • Achieving parity of esteem between vocational and educational pathways
  • Supporting priority sectors including health and social care, construction, green energy, digital technologies, and advanced manufacturing
  • Guidance for meta-skills delivery in Modern Apprenticeships
  • An update on sector-specific framework reviews
  • Improving access, inclusion, and progression for diverse learners
  • Improving collaboration between government, industry, colleges, and universities