Unlocking Early Talent: SME Leaders Summit

Join BPP's research driven event supporting SMEs to hire and retain young people, boost productivity, and engage with early talent pathways.

This free to attend conference brings BPP together with employers, industry experts, and local authorities to break down barriers to hiring early talent. SMEs will gain clear, practical insight into how they can benefit from apprenticeships and other early careers routes, including support for engaging NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) young people and addressing local skills shortages.

What SMEs Will Gain
• Regional and national skills insights that shape workforce planning
• Evidence-based solutions that remove barriers small businesses face
• Real employer case studies showing productivity and growth impact
• Insights on what young people need to thrive
• Direct access to BPP's sector leads, recruitment support, and employer services

Conference Highlights
• Keynote: State of Early Talent in the UK – data, trends & ROI for SMEs
• SME Panel: Breaking Down Barriers with real employer success stories
• Employer and Apprentice Panel: What early talent needs to succeed
• Sector Workshops: Mapping roles to apprenticeship pathways
• Networking Lunch + Support Zone: meet local partners, BPP teams, and recruitment specialists

Special Guest Attendance
We are pleased to confirm that the Mayor of Birmingham, Richard Parker, will be joining the event to support the importance of apprenticeships and the role of SMEs in creating opportunities for young people across the region.

Photography Notice
Photography will take place throughout the event. These may be used by BPP for marketing, promotional, and reporting purposes. By attending, you consent to being photographed and filmed. If you would prefer not to appear in any content, please speak to a member of the BPP team on arrival.

Location
Room 1.02 & 1.03, BPP Birmingham, 3 Brindley Pl, Ladywood, Birmingham B1 2JB