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About AAC

The Annual Apprenticeship Conference is a national event for apprentice employers and providers. Founded in 2015, the event is operated by FE Week, which Lsect Ltd publishes.

Contact Info

Key times for Exhibitors

Sunday 12 March

  • 09:00-10:00 Access to Hall 3 for Lion Exhibitions to mark up only
  • 10:00 – 14:00 Shell scheme build, and space only stand build access.
  • 14:00-20:00 Access for exhibitors

Monday 13 March

  • 06:00 – 08:00 Access for exhibitors
  • 07:30 Health and Safety inspection by structural engineer
  • 08:30 – 09:30 Exhibition opens & Registration
  • End of pm break Exhibition closes after afternoon break
  • 17:45 Conference day 1 closes

Tuesday 14 March

  • 08:30 – 09:30 Exhibition opens & Registration
  • End of pm break Exhibition closes after afternoon break
  • 16:30 – 17:30 Shell Scheme exhibitors vacate stands
  • 17:30 Conference day 2 closes
  • 17:30-22:00 Shell scheme breakdown and space only breakdown

Main agenda

Registration & Breakfast

08:30 - 09:30 AM Hall 3

Get set for Day Two of the AAC. Our exhibition hall will open from 08:30, where light breakfast refreshments will be served.

Plenary Three

09:30 - 11:00 AM Hall 1

Day two of AAC will kick-off with a packed 90-minute plenary session. During this session, we will hear from representatives of WorldSkills, IfATE, the shadow minister and a panel discussion looking at hospitality apprenticeships. Nick Linford will also provide a session titled "ESFA intervention regime - what do we know?"

Morning Break

11:00 - 11:30 Hall 3

During our breaks, conference attendees will head to Hall 3 for refreshments and networking. Hall 3 is also the home of our exhibition, featuring over 50 leading suppliers to the apprenticeship sector.

Workshops (Group D)

11:30 - 12:20 PM Various

AAC Workshops cover various practical and essential topics for apprenticeship employers and providers. Workshops last 50 minutes and will be delivered by organisations including ESFA, IfATE, Ofsted, Ofqual and many more. Workshops will be announced from December.

Workshops Group (E)

12:35 - 13:25 PM Various

AAC Workshops cover various practical and essential topics for apprenticeship employers and providers. Workshops last 50 minutes and will be delivered by organisations including ESFA, IfATE, Ofsted, Ofqual and many more. Workshops will be announced from December.

Lunch

13:25 - 14:30 PM Hall 3

During our breaks, conference attendees will head to Hall 3 for refreshments and networking. Hall 3 is also the home of our exhibition, featuring over 50 leading suppliers to the apprenticeship sector.

Workshops Group (F)

14:45 - 15:35 Various

AAC Workshops cover various practical and essential topics for apprenticeship employers and providers. Workshops last 50 minutes and will be delivered by organisations including ESFA, IfATE, Ofsted, Ofqual and many more. Workshops will be announced from December.

Afternoon Break

15:35 - 16:10 Hall 3

During our breaks, conference attendees will head to Hall 3 for refreshments and networking. Hall 3 is also the home of our exhibition, featuring over 50 leading suppliers to the apprenticeship sector.

Plenary Four

16:10 - 17:15 PM Hall 1

During the closing plenary session of AAC 2023 we will have an insightful keynote speech from Ayo Sokale focussing on neurodiversity. Ayo has a diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome and is an empathetic and inspirational keynote speaker on neurodiversity, mental health challenges and how to overcome them. Following Ayo’s speech, we will have a ministerial address from the Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP. Following the address, we will be joined by sector leaders to discuss key learnings from AAC and next steps.

AAC Gala Dinner and Awards Evening

19:00 - 00:30 AM Hall 4

Join us for the AAC Gala Dinner and Awards evening. Attended by 550 people, the evening marks the end of the AAC and features the AAC Apprenticeship Awards. Further information about the dinner will be published shortly. Tickets are available as an add-on for conference attendees, dinner only tickets are also available.

Registration & Exhibition

08:30 - 10:00 AM Hall 3

Get set for the start of the AAC. Our exhibition hall will open from 08:30, where light breakfast refreshments will be served.

Plenary One

10:00 - 11:15 AM Hall 1

During the opening plenary session of AAC, we will receive two significant keynotes from Ofsted and Ofqual. We will also hear from the CEO of UCAS and Nick Linford.

Morning Break

11:15 - 11:50 AM Hall 3

During our breaks, conference attendees will head to Hall 3 for refreshments and networking. Hall 3 is also the home of our exhibition, featuring over 50 leading suppliers to the apprenticeship sector.

Workshops (Group A)

11:50 - 12:40 PM Various

AAC Workshops cover various practical and essential topics for apprenticeship employers and providers. Workshops last 50 minutes and will be delivered by organisations including ESFA, IfATE, Ofsted, Ofqual and many more. Workshops will be announced from December.

Lunch

12:40 - 13:50 PM Hall 3

During our breaks, conference attendees will head to Hall 3 for refreshments and networking. Hall 3 is also the home of our exhibition, featuring over 50 leading suppliers to the apprenticeship sector.

Plenary Two

13:50 - 15:00 PM Hall 1

Plenary two will feature several important topics including the economy and the apprenticeship brand. We will hear from a panel of industry leaders discussing the state of the apprenticeship brand and how it can be repaired. A keynote speech from a leading economist, Trevor Williams will analyse the key trends and policies that shape the economy and markets. From energy and climate to how companies use their data to understand the wider economy, he brings clarity and relevance to an often complex and abstract field. We will also hear from Oliver Latham who will provide insights from the Pearson’s Skills Outlook into the immediate needs of the modern workforce to help employers and employees stay relevant and adaptable for the long term.

Afternoon Break

15:00 - 15:35 PM Hall 3

During our breaks, conference attendees will head to Hall 3 for refreshments and networking. Hall 3 is also the home of our exhibition, featuring over 50 leading suppliers to the apprenticeship sector.

Workshops (Group B)

15:35 - 16:25 PM Various

AAC Workshops cover various practical and essential topics for apprenticeship employers and providers. Workshops last 50 minutes and will be delivered by organisations including ESFA, IfATE, Ofsted, Ofqual and many more. Workshops will be announced from December.

Workshops (Group C)

16:40 - 17:20 PM Various

AAC Workshops cover various practical and essential topics for apprenticeship employers and providers. Workshops last 50 minutes and will be delivered by organisations including ESFA, IfATE, Ofsted, Ofqual and many more. Workshops will be announced from December.

Evening receptions

17:30 - Late Various locations

During the evening, several organisations will host various networking receptions in the local area. Further information about these events will be published closer to the event.