Skills Unlocked: Bringing Education and Industry Together to Shape Tomorrow’s Workforce
Monday 16th February 2026
Leaders from businesses, education and the local community will gather at Stephenson College on Thursday 12th March for an event designed to do more than share ideas—it aims to actively shape the future of regional talent.
Skills Unlocked, hosted by Loughborough College Group as part of the Leicestershire Innovation Festival, promises a lively, practical and collaborative morning focused on apprenticeships, inclusive employment and digital innovation across North West Leicestershire.
Unlike traditional conferences, this event is built around interaction, insight and real-world application. It’s designed for employers who want to strengthen their workforce, educators who want to align learning with industry needs, and decision-makers looking for fresh strategies in a rapidly evolving economy.
Apprenticeships That Work for Business
One of the core themes of the morning is the power of apprenticeships as talent pipelines. Attendees will hear success stories from both employers and learners, explore how organisations can co-design training programmes, and gain practical guidance on making the most of funding opportunities.
There will also be a dedicated networking breakout exploring changes to the Apprenticeship Levy—giving businesses the chance to discuss implications, share experiences and learn from peers facing similar challenges.
Leading this session is Jenny Dryden, Assistant Principal for Apprenticeships, whose two decades of experience have shown her first-hand how apprenticeships transform lives and strengthen organisations. Her passion lies in helping individuals find their path while enabling employers to build skilled, loyal teams trained specifically for their business needs.
Inclusion as a Driver of Innovation
Skills Unlocked also shines a spotlight on inclusive employment, with a focus on supporting SEN learners and embracing neurodiversity in the workplace. Real-life examples—including collaborations with DHL—will demonstrate how inclusive hiring can unlock untapped talent and deliver measurable benefits for organisations.
A specialist training session led by the College Group’s Learner Services team will equip employers with tools to confidently recruit and support neurodivergent staff. The aim is simple: help businesses build workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Technology, AI and the Future of Work
Digital transformation is no longer optional—and Skills Unlocked will give attendees a hands-on look at what that means in practice. A taster session delivered alongside Graffio will showcase AI tools and emerging technologies that can boost productivity and prepare organisations for the future.
The session will be guided by Jesse Jackson, Head of Digital and Adult Skills, who champions collaboration between educators and industry as the key to preparing learners for modern careers. His work focuses on ensuring training doesn’t just teach theory—it builds real-world capability.
At its heart, Skills Unlocked is about partnership. It’s about recognising that economic growth depends on strong connections between employers, educators and learners—and creating spaces where those connections can flourish.
As Jonny Watkin, Principal of Stephenson College, explains: “Skills Unlocked is more than just an event—it’s a space where education and industry come together to shape real solutions for the skills challenges of tomorrow.
“By connecting employers, students and innovators, we are showing how powerful collaboration can be in driving productivity, championing inclusion and supporting sustainable regional growth. For organisations navigating a rapidly changing world, this isn’t simply a chance to listen and learn—it’s an opportunity to actively influence and develop the talent that will define our future.”
Events like Skills Unlocked provide the rare opportunity to step back from day-to-day pressures and think strategically about workforce development, innovation and inclusion.
For businesses looking to stay competitive, educators striving to stay relevant, and leaders focused on long-term regional success, this is more than a date in the diary. It’s a chance to be part of shaping what comes next.
