West London College Employer & Skills Summit 2026

West London College Employer & Skills Summit 2026

West London College is delighted to invite employers, industry leaders, local authorities, economic development professionals, business membership organisations and community partners to attend the Employer & Skills Summit 2026, taking place on World Youth Skills Day and proudly sponsored by FE Tech.

This flagship event is designed to strengthen collaboration between education and industry, ensuring that future training provision, apprenticeships, T Levels and workforce development programmes are shaped by the organisations that will employ the next generation of talent.

As employers face rapid changes driven by artificial intelligence, digital transformation, sustainability requirements, demographic shifts and evolving workforce expectations, many continue to experience skills shortages, recruitment challenges and talent retention pressures. The summit provides a platform for employers to influence the future direction of skills development across West London and help create a more responsive, employer-led education system.

The event will feature keynote presentations from leading figures in industry and education, including Dr Nisreen Ameen, who will present insights from the AI Skills for the UK Workforce Report and discuss the impact of emerging technologies on employers, employees and future skills needs. Additional speakers from industry, policy and economic development organisations will share perspectives on workforce trends, productivity, talent attraction and skills investment.

A key element of the summit will be sector-led discussion forums, where employers can contribute directly to conversations on workforce challenges, recruitment issues, emerging occupations, technological developments and future skills requirements. These discussions are intended to generate practical recommendations that will influence future training provision.

The summit will bring together representatives from key sectors, including:

• Hospitality and Tourism
• Health Care and Life Science
• Construction and the Built Environment
• Digital, Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security
• Engineering and Manufacturing
• Green Skills and Sustainability
• Business and Professional Services
• Early Years and Education
• Logistics, Transport and Aviation
• Retail

West London College is working alongside industry organisations, including UKHospitality, TechUK, CITB and UK Logistics, whose involvement will help ensure that employer voices remain central to discussions.

The outcomes from the summit will directly inform West London College's curriculum planning, apprenticeship programmes, T Level delivery, industry placements and wider employer engagement strategy. Attendees will therefore have a genuine opportunity to influence the design and delivery of future training programmes and help ensure that learners develop the skills businesses need, both now and in the future.

The event will also provide valuable networking opportunities, enabling attendees to build relationships with senior leaders from business, local authorities, sector bodies and education providers, and explore collaborations around workforce development, recruitment, social value initiatives and economic growth.

In recognition of World Youth Skills Day, the summit will also examine how employers can play a greater role in supporting young people into meaningful careers by creating clearer pathways into employment and helping to build a sustainable pipeline of future talent.

The day will conclude with a networking reception, offering further opportunities to connect, develop partnerships and continue discussions in an informal setting.

Sign up today as we have limited places.