Apr 29
Wednesday 29th April 10:00 - 11:00
Online - Zoom
This webinar will explore the future of apprenticeships and youth strategy in the hospitality sector. The session will include expert perspectives, practical updates and forward-looking opportunities.
Why attend?
Youth Strategy unpacked – Sandra Kelly, Skills Director at UKHospitality, will be joined by Deborah Woodcock, Deputy Director of the Strategic Relationship Team at DWP, to break down the newly announced Youth Strategy – and what it means for your business.
The future of leadership training – With level 5 and 6 management and leadership apprenticeships being defunded, Macaela Barlow from The Opportunity Provider (TOP) will reveal how HIT Training is stepping up to deliver the next generation of management and leadership development.
New opportunities: Hospitality Foundation Apprenticeships – Get an exclusive look at emerging apprenticeship pathways designed to support and strengthen the future workforce.
Have questions? We encourage you to submit them in advance to ensure they’re addressed during the session: [email protected]
When
Wednesday, 29th April, 2026
Where
Online - Zoom
Our speakers
Deborah Woodcock
Group Director for Strategic Relationship Team, DWP
Deborah Woodcock
Group Director for Strategic Relationship Team, DWP
Deborah Woodcock has been a Civil Servant since 1999 when she started as a Farm Inspector with the Ministry of Agriculture. In 2000 she moved to HMRC to work in Pensions and eventually as a Tax Inspector. She spent a further 10 years in various operational leadership roles within HMRC and then joined the DWP in 2020 as a Group Director for the North and East Midlands - having accountability and responsibility for the operation and delivery of 93 Jobcentre sites. Debbie is now the group director for Strategic Relationship Team (SRT). SRT oversee relationships with national and strategic employers, partners and trade bodies. They have responsibility for the Rapid Redundancy Service; the governments Find a Job site and set the direction for the employer and partnership community as a whole. Debbie is based in Northwest Leicestershire.
Umar Akram
Head of Youth Strategy, Policy and Engagement, DWP
Umar Akram
Head of Youth Strategy, Policy and Engagement, DWP
Umar Akram is the Head of Youth Strategy, Policy and Engagement at the Department for Work and Pensions.
Umar’s team has responsibility for setting the cross-government strategy to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment and training; leading policy design of the Youth Guarantee in collaboration with Mayoral Strategic Authorities and the Department for Education; and leading the Youth Guarantee employer engagement strategy.
Prior to working at the Department for Work and Pensions, Umar held multiple strategy and policy roles at HM Treasury working across economic and fiscal policies including public spending, personal tax, infrastructure and global financial markets.
Sandra Kelly
Skills Director, UKHospitality
Sandra Kelly
Skills Director, UKHospitality
Sandra is the Skills Director at UKHospitality and leads the drive for an employer-led approach to skills in the hospitality sector. Her focus is to ensure there is a strong talent pipeline from education into employment at every level, with options to continue learning in workplace.
Prior to joining UKHospitality in May 2022, Sandra worked as the Skills and Policy Director for People 1st International. Sandra has worked in hospitality for over 30 years in operational, learning and development roles.