Event: Skills, tech and inclusivity to shaping Leicestershire’s future workforce

Skills, technology, and inclusion will take centre stage at one of the headline events of Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2026

Skills Unlocked: Shaping Tomorrow’s Talent Through Apprenticeships, Inclusion and AI will showcase how the three can combine to power the region’s future economy.

The event will spotlight existing employer partnerships, live projects, and the innovative work already reshaping how the region recruits, trains and supports its workforce.

The event on 12 March, hosted by Stephenson College, part of Loughborough College Group, is designed to drive economic growth by bringing together employers, educators and future talent.

It will focus on three key themes:

• Apprenticeships and skills development. A session led by the College’s Assistant Principal for Apprenticeships, Jenny Dryden, will show how apprenticeships create strong talent pipelines, with employer and learner success stories and practical guidance on co‑designing training that directly reflects industry needs. Attendees will hear success stories from both employers and learners, explore how organisations can co-design training programmes, and gain practical guidance on making the most of funding opportunities. There will also be a networking breakout exploring changes to the Apprenticeship Levy - giving businesses the chance to discuss implications, share experiences and learn from peers facing similar challenges.

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• Digital transformation and AI. This  session will be guided by Jesse Jackson, Head of Digital and Adult Skills, who champions collaboration between educators and industry as the key to preparing learners for modern careers. Attendees will see the College’s digital innovation in action, with hands‑on demonstrations of AI, emerging technologies and digital projects that boost productivity and prepare learners for future jobs. This session, which is delivered alongside Loughborough-based design agency Graffio Arts, will showcase AI tools and emerging technologies that can boost productivity and prepare organisations for the future.

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• SEN‑inclusive and neurodiversity‑friendly employment. This specialist training session, led by the Learner Support team at the College Group, will equip employers with tools to confidently recruit and support neurodivergent staff. The programme will promote inclusive recruitment by showcasing real examples of SEN support, highlighting the strengths of neurodiverse talent, and giving employers practical tools to hire, support and retain neurodivergent learners. 

Unlike traditional conferences, this event is built around interaction, insight and real-world application. It’s designed for employers who want to strengthen their workforce, educators who want to align learning with industry needs, and decision-makers looking for fresh strategies in a rapidly evolving economy.

Jonny Watkin, Principal of Stephenson College, said: “Skills Unlocked is where education and industry come together to shape real solutions for the skills challenges of tomorrow. 

“By connecting employers, students and innovators, we are showing how powerful collaboration can be in driving productivity, championing inclusion and supporting sustainable regional growth. 

“For organisations navigating a rapidly changing world, this presents an opportunity to actively influence and develop the talent that will define our future.”

The event takes place at Stephenson College, in Coalville, from 9.30am-12.30pm. You can book a place here. 

How does this fit into Leicestershire Innovation Festival?

The Skills Unlocked event is one of 10 sessions at Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2026, led by the Business Gateway Growth Hub and the Innovative Leicestershire partnership. Across the week, SMEs can access expert guidance on funding and business growth, discover tools and technologies to boost productivity and connect with universities, innovation partners and fellow business leaders.

• A full list of event times, venues and details of all events - including registration portals - is available here.

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