The Employment and Skills Convention returns to Manchester on Thursday 2 July.

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.  

Join us this year as we explore how to grow opportunity and unlock potential in a changing workforce.

As the world of work continues to change, we’ll explore 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?

Register now to make sure you don’t miss out! The event is free to attend, but places are limited. Places are limited to two people per organisation to maximise networking opportunities.

If you are interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at the convention, please get in touch at events@learningandwork.org.uk.

Explore our sponsorship options

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

Please register below if you are interesting in attending this event. Please note, this does not automatically confirm your place we will be in touch with you directly if we are able to offer you a place.

1 April 2026

Supporting the progression of low-income workers in Scotland

With funding from the Robertson Trust, Learning and Work Institute has been working in partnership with Edinburgh College to develop a pilot to support low-income workers in Scotland to progress into better jobs.

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1 April 2026

Final report: Supporting the progression of low-income workers in Scotland

This report shares findings from the second phase of our programme of work funded by the Robertson Trust and delivered in partnership with Edinburgh College. It sets out a proposed model for a new, evidence-led, in-work progression programme in Edinburgh.

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19 March 2026

Labour Market Briefing: March 2026

Our analysis of the ONS labour market statistics, released on the morning of 19 March 2026.

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19 March 2026

ESOL provision for 16–19-year-olds

Learning and Work Institute (L&W) was commissioned by the South East Strategic Partnership for Migration (SESPM) and funded by MHCLG, to research availability, challenges and opportunities in ESOL provision for 16-19‑year‑olds across the South East.

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19 March 2026

Labour market stats response, March 2026

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

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17 March 2026

There’s one million NEETs in the UK. Are we doing enough?

Stephen Evans, Chief Executive at Learning and Work Institute, reflects on the Government’s expansion of the Youth Guarantee and if support is going far enough to help young people into work or training.

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17 March 2026

Beyond the headline: What emerging qualitative insights tell us about supporting young people into work

Iona McArdle, L&W’s JobsPlus Programme Manager, shares some emerging insights from the JobsPlus evaluation on young people’s experiences of being not in education, employment or training (NEET).

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16 March 2026

Responding to the Government’s announcement on expanding opportunities for young people

L&W Chief Executive Stephen Evans responds to the Government’s announcement on expanding opportunities for young people on 16 March 2026.

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13 March 2026

Training and skills needs: Trends and challenges in UK growth sectors

This report, the second in a series of publications funded by Nuffield Foundation, explores the level of estimated skills needs in UK businesses alongside the level and type of training that employers provide.

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