Bridging Opportunity Gaps: Preparing Students from All Backgrounds for Apprenticeships
Wednesday 25 February 2026
11:10 - 11:55
Summary
How can we ensure that all young people—regardless of background—see apprenticeships as a viable, exciting route into the world of work?
This session brings together employers and education professionals to explore how we can better prepare students for apprenticeships through a diversity lens. A panel of employers and apprenticeship providers will share how they are proactively diversifying their future workforce, including outreach strategies and examples of reasonable adjustments that help remove barriers to recruitment. They will share their tips on how to help your students succeed.
We’ll also delve into findings from UCAS’ Project Next Generation, an in depth study of 13–17-year-olds that explores how young people shape their education and career choices. The session will spotlight insights from four key underrepresented groups:
Neurodiverse students
Women considering STEM careers
Students from ethnic minority backgrounds
Students from lower socio-economic backgrounds
Discover what motivates these students, the barriers they face, and how their backgrounds influence the pathways they consider—including apprenticeships. Whether you're an educator, or careers advisor, this session will offer practical strategies and fresh perspectives to help future-ready apprenticeship applicants thrive.