Beyond Access: Transition Readiness, Retention & Workforce Participation
About this Event
ABHYAS-RDCS (UEL) Widening Participation Summit 2026 - Part 2: Beyond Access - Transition Readiness, Retention & Workforce Participation
Beyond Access: What Really Determines Whether Students Stay, Thrive and Succeed?
ABHYAS-RDCS UEL Widening Participation Summit 2026 - Part 2
Transition Readiness, Retention & Workforce Participation
Date: 8 July 2026 Time: 10:00am -12:20pm Venue: City of London (TBC)
Paid Event | Limited Places Available
Access gets students through the door. Readiness determines whether they stay, progress and succeed.
Across the UK, education systems are facing a growing challenge: student disengagement, non-continuation, educator burnout, rising wellbeing concerns, workforce instability and the wider NEET challenge.
This summit asks one urgent question:
Once students gain access to education, what truly helps them belong, continue, thrive and participate meaningfully in society and the workforce?
Following the first summit on widening participation, Part 2 moves the conversation from Access to Readiness. It explores the hidden factors that shape student success - confidence, belonging, resilience, emotional readiness, school culture, educator wellbeing, support systems and transition into employment.
This is not a sit-back-and-listen conference. It is a focused, interactive summit for educators, leaders, policymakers, employers, researchers and community stakeholders who want to understand what is really happening beneath the surface - and what can be done about it.
Why attend?
You will leave with a sharper understanding of why access alone is not enough, and why readiness, retention and workforce participation are now national and societal priorities.
You will explore how the wellbeing and stability of educators directly affects student confidence, behaviour, belonging, progression and long-term opportunity.
You will gain practical insight that can inform schools, colleges, universities, policy spaces, workforce planning and community support.
What you will experience
Research and system insightDr George Madine, Assistant Professor in Leadership and Management at the University of Bradford, will explore the hidden drivers of disengagement, aspiration, confidence, belonging and progression.
Interactive cross-sector discussionParticipants will examine what education must protect, what it may need to de-learn, and what practical action is needed to support students and educators more effectively.
A live Abhyas experiential sessionLed by the Director and Head of Wellbeing at Abhyas Ltd UK, this session will introduce practical approaches to awareness, regulation, attentiveness, resilience and educator stability.
A practical pathway into actionThe summit will introduce the Abhyas Educator Wellbeing & Transition Readiness Programme - a 21-day pathway designed to support educators as self-regulated practitioners and mentors.
Who should attend?
This summit is for education leaders, teachers, student support and wellbeing teams, widening participation practitioners, university, school and college leaders, policymakers, employers, workforce planners, researchers, charities, youth organisations and community stakeholders.
Why now?
Students are struggling with confidence, belonging and mental wellbeing.Educators are facing burnout and instability.Institutions are carrying the cost of disengagement and non-continuation.Employers are asking whether young people are truly ready for the world of work.
The widening participation conversation must evolve.
The next frontier is not simply helping students get in.It is helping them stay, grow and participate fully.
Book your place
Join us for a deeper, practical conversation about the future of education, wellbeing and workforce participation.
Book your place and be part of the move beyond access - towards readiness, retention and real-world participation.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 5.04
