MP Laura Kyrke-Smith visits Buckinghamshire College Group to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week
Buckinghamshire College Group was delighted to welcome local MP Laura Kyrke-Smith to its Aylesbury Campus as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2026, recognising the vital role apprenticeships play in developing skills for the local economy.
During her visit, Laura toured several of the College’s specialist apprenticeship training areas, including Construction, Motor Vehicle, and Hairdressing. She met with apprentices, staff, and employer partners, gaining first-hand insight into the high-quality training, industry-standard facilities, and career pathways available to learners across Buckinghamshire.
Laura spoke with apprentices about their experiences and future ambitions and engaged in positive discussions with employers about current opportunities and challenges within the local skills landscape. Conversations centred on workforce needs, emerging industry trends, and ways to further strengthen apprenticeship provision to better support businesses and apprentices throughout the region.
Laura’s time on campus further emphasised the importance of collaborative work between education providers, employers and policymakers in shaping a strong and sustainable skills pipeline.
Tracey Matthews, Vice Principal (Commercial & Partnerships) at Buckinghamshire College Group, commented: “We were delighted to welcome Laura Kyrke-Smith to the College during National Apprenticeship Week. We are grateful for the time she spent meeting our apprentices, employers and staff, and for her genuine interest in hearing about their experiences.
"Her visit provided a valuable opportunity not only for our learners and partners to showcase the impact of apprenticeships, but also for us to share key messages about the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. We appreciate Laura taking these insights back to Parliament to help inform future discussions on skills and workforce development”.
Buckinghamshire College Group is proud to champion apprenticeships and continues to work closely with employers to expand opportunities across a wide range of sectors. The College’s commitment to providing high-quality technical and professional education remains central to supporting the region’s economic growth and developing talent for the future.
For more information about apprenticeships at Buckinghamshire College Group, visit: www.buckscollegegroup.ac.uk