The Construction Liveries Group (CLG) Symposium: Apprentices & Employability

The Value Proposition

Hear from the decision-makers, educators, employers and apprentices who are shaping the future of construction skills. Leave with practical ideas, valuable contacts and a clearer understanding of how we can build a stronger pipeline of skilled, employable people into the construction industry.

The Detail

The Apprentices & Employability symposium is a unique opportunity to hear directly from the organisations and people shaping the future of apprenticeships in UK construction. Bringing together senior representatives from government, awarding and professional bodies, a leading further education college, employers of all sizes, and outstanding early-career professionals, this half-day symposium will provide an end-to-end view of what makes apprenticeships successful, and what employers are looking for in the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Whether you are an employer, educator, livery company member, training provider, policymaker, the symposium offers practical insights, real-world experience and valuable networking with those influencing the sector. As part of the Construction Liveries Group's programme of cross-livery events, it will explore how we can work together to attract more young people into construction, equip them with the skills and behaviours that make them genuinely employable, and build a stronger, more resilient talent pipeline for the industry.

The Apprenticeship Ecosystem:

Our speaker line-up represents every stage of the apprentice ecosystem in one room:

• Government and policy (DWP, Skills England)
• Professional standards (CIPHE)
• Qualification and assessment (City & Guilds)
• Education and training (FE college)
• Demand side (large and small employers)
• The learner's lived experience (recent apprentices)

This Symposium is one of the few events where the entire apprenticeship system is represented in one room.

Symposium Content and Timings

🔹15:00 - 15:30: ARRIVAL

Registration (Level 32) / Teas & Coffees

🔹15:30 - 15:35: INTRODUCTION

Welcome & Introductions; Objectives - Symposium Leader, David Adams (The Worshipful Company of Plumbers’)

🔹15:35 - 16:05: PART A: Government (Funders) Experience

How government is addressing the needs of the UK construction sector: (a) sources of funds (b) use of funds and programmes (c) managing skills shortages – two representatives DWP & Skills England

🔹16:05 - 16:45: PART B: Curriculum Designer & Awarding Bodies Experience

Reshaping an apprenticeship curriculum to deliver (a) supply line of talent (b) new skills for sustainable installations – CEO and Training Manager, Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering (CIPHE)

Redesigning assessment and awarding processes in the construction trades to meet today and tomorrow’s needs and standards – Acting CEO City & Guilds Limited

🔹16:45 - 17:15: PART C: Further Education College Experience

Building programmes of work to teach updated curricula in the construction trades: success factors, challenges, finance, employers - CEO & Principal, a leading FE College

🔹17.15 to 17.35: Comfort Break (20 mins)

🔹17:35 - 18:00: PART D: Young People’s Experience

Lessons from tradespeople in their early working years: selecting a profession, attending college, finding an employer, obtaining qualifications, entering the world of work; what has been positive and what challenging – panel discussion with 2 ‘high-achieving’ early-career plumbers

18.00 – 18.35 PART E: Employers’ Experience

Employers explain how they recruit and train apprentices, work with colleges, and embed ‘employability’ - success stories and challenges in the recruitment and development of early-career apprentice talent - two small and one large employer

🔹18:35 - 18:55: PART F: Questions, Answers, Debate

A facilitated Q&A session on lessons from the symposium: early conclusions, actions, next steps – led by David Adams.

🔹18:55 - 19:00: Closing Remarks

🔹19:00 - 20:00: Drinks & Canapés

Symposium will be followed by a social/mingling reception

🔹20:00 till LATE: Cocktails

Private Lift to Sky Garden Levels 35, 36 and 37 (pay as you go)

The Construction Liveries Group (CLG) is in collaboration with the City of London Corporation and the Lady Mayor.

Please review our Refund policy below:

No Refunds: Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds for requests made less than 14 days before the event.

Dress Code: Suit / Smart Dress