Growing opportunity and unlocking potential in a changing workforce

Our Employment and Skills Convention returned to Manchester on Thursday 2 July 2026.

As the world of work continues to change, we asked the key questions: how can we create and connect young people to opportunity? How is demand for skills evolving as technology reshapes jobs? And how can workers and employers be supported to thrive in a changing economy?

This major annual event for the employment and skills sectors brings together delegates from across central and local government, employers, providers, and third sector organisations to tackle key issues in policy and practice.

With thanks to our sponsors: Maximus UK, Edge Foundation, Ingeus, Youth Futures Foundation and City & Guilds.

Watch recordings from the event

View slides from the convention

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View slides from our keynote speech by Rt Hon Lord Willetts

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30 Medi 2026

From appetite to opportunity

This report for The St Martin’s Group draws on a survey of more than 1,000 HR decision makers to examine employers’ plans to recruit young people, the routes they expect to use, the barriers they face, and the support they need.

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30 Medi 2026

22 Medi 2026

Building an AI-ready workforce: Creating a skills system that prepares UK knowledge workers for the AI transition

AI has transformative potential for the UK economy and could present a net uplift to productivity of up to £80 billion by 2035. Yet the UK workforce does not – yet – have the skills to successfully adopt and scale AI technologies in a truly transformative way.

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22 Medi 2026

AI skills investment could add £80 billion to the UK economy

The UK can secure an £80 billion boost to its economy by 2035 if the Government and businesses act together to strengthen the technical skills system, according to a major report published today by L&W and The Rigby Foundation.

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15 Medi 2026

Labour Market Briefing: September 2026

Our analysis of the ONS labour market statistics, released on the morning of 15 September 2026.

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15 Medi 2026

Labour market dashboard

Every month, Learning and Work Institute produces detailed and timely analysis of the latest labour market statistics from ONS. Explore our interactive charts.

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15 Medi 2026

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s Youth Guarantee Trailblazer: Implementation and process evaluation

This report presents findings from L&W’s implementation and process evaluation of year one of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority’s Youth Guarantee Trailblazer.

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15 Medi 2026

Labour market stats response, September 2026

L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the latest labour market data from ONS.

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8 Medi 2026

Adult Skills Fund spending on English and Maths, 2016–24

This briefing explores the trends in investment in adult (19+) English and maths provision in England in the first five years of Adult Skills Fund devolution between 2019/20 and 2023/24.

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