Tees Business LIVE: February 2026

February’s Tees Business LIVE will shine a timely spotlight on one of the most important – and most debated – issues facing employers today: apprenticeships.

Taking place 11am-1pm on Thursday, February 12, at The Curve, the flagship events venue at Teesside University, the event coincides with National Apprenticeships Week and brings together business leaders, educators and apprentices themselves for an open, honest discussion about what’s working, what isn’t – and what needs to change.

Alongside the usual high-quality networking over refreshments, attendees will hear a panel discussion exploring both the opportunities and the challenges surrounding apprenticeships in the Tees Valley and beyond.

Apprenticeships are widely recognised as a powerful route to developing home-grown talent, boosting productivity and creating long-term workforce stability. Yet many businesses still hesitate.

Why? Common concerns include the perceived complexity of the system, uncertainty around costs, worries about bureaucracy, lack of in-house mentoring capacity and fears that trained apprentices may be “poached” once qualified.

For smaller firms in particular, navigating funding rules and training frameworks can feel daunting.

At the same time, employers are increasingly vocal about skills gaps, recruitment challenges and the difficulty of finding work-ready talent. The contradiction sits at the heart of February’s discussion.

The panel will also explore what more government and policymakers could do – from simplifying the apprenticeship levy and funding rules, to offering clearer support for SMEs, stronger incentives for first-time providers and better alignment between education and real business needs.

The expert panel brings together senior leaders with first-hand experience from every angle of the system:

• Zoe Lewis CBE, CEO and principal of Middlesbrough College Group
• Andrew Mills, CEO of Industrial Technology Systems (ITS)
• Neil Young, director of Teesworks Skills Academy

Their insights will be complemented by voices at the very start of their careers – a vital part of the conversation.

The event will also feature a discussion with Millie Smith, Middlesbrough College Apprentice of the Year, who at just 19 has already secured a permanent role with Tees Business, alongside Shane Hopson, a business administration apprentice with Tees Business who is currently studying at Middlesbrough College.

Their experiences will bring the debate to life – cutting through policy and perception to show what apprenticeships look like on the ground, and the impact they can have when done well.

Get involved

Event sponsorship for this Tees Business Live is currently available – email [email protected] for more details - alongside series associates the North East Chamber of Commerce.

Attendance is free of charge, but demand is expected to be high – early booking is strongly advised.

If apprenticeships matter to your business – whether you’re already engaged or still unsure – this is a conversation you’ll want to be part of.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Tees Business