Wednesday 15 & Thursday 16 July

LOCATION

DAYTIME:
Sheffield Hallam University

EVENING:
Cutler's Hall

DATE

Wednesday 15 July &
Thursday 16 July

NEW FOR 2026...

NEW TICKET TYPE INCLUDING OPTIONAL ACCOMODATION AVAILABLE

ABOUT THE EVENT

Over two days, you’ll gain insights into the strategic and practical impact of your student information solutions, explore innovations, and connect with peers who share your vision for the future. This year’s two-day conference will build on last year’s success, with an option to include 4* accommodation in Sheffield city centre within your ticket.

TICKET OPTIONS

2-DAY DELEGATE TICKET

Access to the 2-day conference itself (including lunch and refreshments both days), plus drinks reception, gala dinner and awards on the Wednesday night.

£95

(+VAT per person)

2-DAY DELEGATE TICKET + HOTEL

LIMITED TICKETS REMAINING

Access to exclusive pre-conference drinks reception on the Tuesday night, the 2-day conference itself (including lunch and refreshments both days), plus drinks reception, gala dinner and awards on the Wednesday night, and 2 night, 4* city centre bed and breakfast accommodation.

£ 375

(+VAT per person)

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR TICKET? Click here to find out more...

MEET OUR EMPOWER SPONSORS

AGENDA

FINAL TIMINGS AND SESSIONS TBC

TUESDAY 14 JULY

Early evening drinks reception (for delegates with 2-day delegate ticket + hotel)

WEDNESDAY 15 JULY

08:45

Registration opens

09:30 - 09.50

OPENING PLENARY

Join us as Tribal's Executive Leadership team officially open the 2026 Empower Conference.

09.55 - 10.45

MAYTAS Opening Session

This session sets the tone for the conference, highlighting sector shifts, compliance pressures, and how the evolution to MAYTAS 6 equips you to deliver accurate ILR data, reduce operational risk, and free teams from infrastructure burdens.

10.45 - 11.15

Refreshments

11:15 - 12.05

MAYTAS 6

Explore the next generation of apprenticeship management with a first look at MAYTAS 6, Tribal’s fully managed, cloud hosted service offering seamless updates, built-in compliance, and a secure, scalable experience. Learn how the new model supports end-to-end learner lifecycle management and forms the foundation for long-term transformation.

12:10 - 13.00

Getting The Best Out of MAYTAS

A practical session packed with tips, tricks, and under‑used features to help providers maximise value from your existing setup. From smarter ILR validation to improved reporting and workflow optimisation, this session shows how small changes can drive measurable efficiency improvements.

Client to Cloud: Your Journey

Understand what moving to the Tribal Cloud really looks like, from readiness assessment to go live. This session walks through typical migration timelines (<1 month), risk reduction strategies, and how Tribal’s full stack support removes the burden of hosting and maintenance for training providers.

MAYTAS Hub: Wellbeing, A Year On

Review the first full year of MAYTAS Hub Wellbeing and discover how providers are using it to enhance learner engagement and wellbeing. Hear insights into adoption, usage trends, and the role of personalised learner and employer hubs in improving outcomes and satisfaction.

Ofsted and Inclusion
with Lou Doyle, Director and Co-Founder of SDN Mesma Group

Details coming soon.

13.00 - 14.00

Lunch

14:00 - 14.50

Panel Discussion: Supporting the Modern Learner: What Needs to Change?

14.50 - 15.10

Refreshments

15:10 - 16.00

DISCUSSION
The Future of MAYTAS 6

A forward-looking conversation exploring the roadmap for MAYTAS 6, including integrations, automation, analytics, and the shift toward MAYTAS as a Service. Learn how Tribal is shaping the platform to meet rising expectations and regulatory demands.

Funding and Compliance: Changes to Apprenticeships in 2026

Stay ahead of the curve with a breakdown of the latest funding rule updates, ILR changes, and compliance expectations for 2026. This session is ideal for anyone navigating QAR targets, audit readiness, and reducing administrative burden.

Safeguarding: Current Challenges and Best Practice
with Ann Marie Christian FRSA

Explore common safeguarding risks affecting learners—such as exploitation, harmful relationships, and mental health vulnerabilities—and consider how these risks may manifest differently across age groups. The session also outlines staff responsibilities, including recognising concerns, understanding consent in adult safeguarding, and following appropriate reporting procedures. Through brief scenarios and discussion, attendees will build confidence in responding appropriately to safeguarding issues and in understanding the importance of multi-agency working and their role within wider safeguarding systems.

16:00

End of Conference Day 1

17:00

Drinks Reception, Celebration of Success Awards and Gala Dinner

THURSDAY 16 JULY

10:30

Registration & Exhibition

11.05 - 12.00

The Only Thing Certain in FE, WBL and VL is Change

With guest speaker Sue Pittock OBE

12:05 - 13.00

There's An APP For That!

Discover the growing role of mobile and digital tools in employer engagement, learner tracking, and progress visibility. This session highlights how interconnected apps and APIs create a frictionless experience across the apprenticeship journey.

Delivering Degree Apprenticeships: How to Support Learners and Employers

Join the University of Wales Trinity Saint David as they share how MAYTAS supports their apprenticeship provision, with its real-time SITS integration, validated ILR production, simplified employer engagement, and scalable administrative processes. For institutions with ambitious apprenticeships growth plans, this session demonstrates how MAYTAS becomes a strategic enabler: reducing administrative load, improving data quality, and aligning apprenticeship delivery with wider institutional transformation goals.

Cognassist & MAYTAS: Working in Partnership

Discover how Cognassist and MAYTAS are working together to strengthen inclusive practice.

Beyond the DBS Check: Strengthening Safeguarding Through Recruitment Excellence with Ann Marie Christian FRSA

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, but recruitment is where prevention begins. This interactive session challenges delegates to look beyond compliance and consider how recruitment decisions shape organisational culture and learner safety. Through real-world scenarios and discussion, participants will explore how robust recruitment practices help create safer colleges.

13.00 - 14.00

Lunch

14:00 - 15.00

Managing Funding Streams in MAYTAS: Skills Bootcamps, 16-19 study programmes, Apprenticeship units...

Learn how to diversify revenue through emerging funding routes. This session covers compliance considerations, reporting expectations, and how MAYTAS and M6 support multi‑stream funding models.

10 Years of Degree Apprenticeships with the University of Exeter

This session tells the story of how the University of Exeter has designed, delivered, and evolved its degree apprenticeship provision over the past decade, from early adoption to a mature, strategic pillar of work-based learning. Through honest reflection and real examples, Exeter will share what it actually takes to build and sustain high-quality apprenticeship programmes, and what they’re doing next.

Transforming FE Apprenticeship Delivery with EBS ePortfolio powered by MAYTAS

A practical introduction to the ePortfolio for FE. We’ll demonstrate how learners log off‑the‑job hours, upload evidence, complete skill scans and build an EPA‑ready portfolio, while assessors and employers monitor progress, manage reviews, analyse risk indicators and communicate seamlessly through an intuitive, real‑time.