In this special National Apprenticeship Week episode of Take Five, we are joined by Phil Smith CBE, Chair of Skills England, for a celebratory and forward-looking conversation about the power of apprenticeships.

Together, we reflect on the role employers play in building the UK’s future workforce, the impact apprenticeships have on individuals and businesses alike, and why investing in early talent is not just the right thing to do, but smart business.

Drawing on his leadership experience, including his time as CEO of Cisco, Phil shares his perspective on why employers are central to the future of skills and why now is the moment to step up.

This episode sets the tone for a wider mini-series with Phil Smith, where we will go on to explore the bigger questions shaping the skills system, from employer engagement and system reform to the future direction of Skills England.

For now, this episode is about recognition, optimism and ambition, celebrating the employers and apprentices who are driving growth, opportunity and inclusion across the UK.

To learn more about The 5% Club and how you can get involved, visit:
https://www.5percentclub.org.uk

In this episode of Take Five, we speak to inspirational employer MCFT, a business that has gone all in on apprenticeships.

Facing skills shortages and an ageing workforce, MCFT made a strategic decision to grow their own talent. As an established employer-provider, they now recruit four times a year to their engineering programmes and achieve retention rates significantly above the national average.

Hear directly from MCFT about how they have built a culture of clear career pathways, how they consistently create more opportunities, and how they deliver a genuine return on their investment in apprentices.

This episode was delivered in collaboration with Youth Futures Foundation, the national What Works Centre for youth employment. Youth Futures works to create a society where every young person can achieve good work by identifying What Works and driving change in policy and practice — with a particular focus on marginalised young people.

The 5% Club and MCFT are proud to support the “Make it an Apprenticeship” campaign, helping employers understand how they can create more opportunities by making entry-level roles apprenticeships.

Find out more:
Youth Futures Foundation
Make it an Apprenticeship
The 5% Club 

If you would like to learn more about The 5% Club or get involved, visit our website or contact us at contactus@5percentclub.org.uk.

In this episode of Take Five, we are joined by Phil Smith, Chair of Skills England, to explore the Government’s Youth Guarantee and the recent announcements aimed at reducing youth unemployment and expanding access to apprenticeships.

We discuss the strategic ambition behind the Youth Guarantee, the role employers can play in creating more opportunities for young people, and the new incentive structures designed to support businesses in recruiting and developing early-career talent. The conversation focuses on how employers can respond to these changes and what this means for workforce planning and long-term skills investment.

 This episode provides practical insight into the direction of travel for skills policy and the opportunity for employers to take a leading role in shaping the future workforce.

 You can read the Government’s announcement on the Youth Guarantee and new employment drive here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-employment-drive-to-help-unlock-200000-new-jobs-and-apprenticeships-for-next-generation

Employers interested in contributing to the development of Skills England’s Expert Groups can express interest through relevant sector or membership bodies, including The 5% Club, or by contacting Skills England directly at: expertnetwork.skillsengland@education.gov.uk

To find out more about The 5% Club and how to get involved, visit: https://www.5percentclub.org.uk

In this episode of Take Five, Phil Smith, Chair of Skills England, joins us to discuss the recent apprenticeship assessment reforms and what they mean for employers across sectors.

We explore the rationale behind the changes, how the reforms aim to create a more streamlined and responsive system, and the role employers are playing in shaping assessment approaches that better reflect workplace realities. The discussion focuses on how these changes support productivity, workforce development and the delivery of high-quality apprenticeship experiences.

This episode provides clarity on the direction of reform and reassurance for employers navigating changes to the apprenticeship system.

Further detail on the apprenticeship assessment reforms can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-funding-rules-2025-to-2026/changes-to-apprenticeship-assessment-2025-to-2026

Employers who wish to contribute to Skills England’s Expert Groups can do so through relevant sector or membership bodies such as The 5% Club, or by contacting Skills England directly at: expertnetwork.skillsengland@education.gov.uk

In this episode of Take Five, Phil Smith, Chair of Skills England, joins us to discuss the recent apprenticeship assessment reforms and what they mean for employers across sectors.

We explore the rationale behind the changes, how the reforms aim to create a more streamlined and responsive system, and the role employers are playing in shaping assessment approaches that better reflect workplace realities. The discussion focuses on how these changes support productivity, workforce development and the delivery of high-quality apprenticeship experiences.

This episode provides clarity on the direction of reform and reassurance for employers navigating changes to the apprenticeship system.

Further detail on the apprenticeship assessment reforms can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-funding-rules-2025-to-2026/changes-to-apprenticeship-assessment-2025-to-2026

Employers who wish to contribute to Skills England’s Expert Groups can do so through relevant sector or membership bodies such as The 5% Club, or by contacting Skills England directly at: expertnetwork.skillsengland@education.gov.uk

To learn more about The 5% Club, visit: https://www.5percentclub.org.uk

Welcome to the The 5% Club Podcast: Take Five – where we bring you insight, inspiration and innovation from employers, stakeholders, policy makers and contributors, all in 5% of your working day.

This episode is delivered in collaboration with the Youth Futures Foundation and forms part of a mini-series supporting the Make It An Apprenticeship Campaign.

Bagnalls discuss how employers can use apprenticeships to create opportunities for people as they enter the workforce - what if we were able to use apprenticeships to create more entry levels roles for people?

Welcome to the The 5% Club Podcast: Take Five – where we bring you insight, inspiration and innovation from employers, stakeholders, policy makers and contributors, all in 5% of your working day.

This episode is delivered in collaboration with the Youth Futures Foundation and forms part of a mini-series supporting the Make It An Apprenticeship Campaign.

Today Chris Shirley, Fellow of The 5% Club, is in conversation with Stephen Wilde, Managing Director of Southbourne Rubber, who shares how apprentices have been such a vital part of his business strategy.