SRAG Summit - NESCOT
February 20, 2026Posted by:
Connecting the System, Without Accepting Its Limits
The Social Recruitment Advocacy Group (SRAG) Summit at Nescot brought employers, colleges, skills providers and delivery partners into one room with a clear focus: aligning training, funding and vacancies so more people move into sustained work.
Who Was in the Room
SRAG employers collectively represent more than 500,000 employees across the UK. When leaders of that scale gather with education and delivery partners, the conversation moves quickly from policy to practice.
During the panel discussion, SRAG Chair the Rt. Hon Anne Milton remarked, “I’m sure we all wish we had a NESCOT in our local area.”
It was both a compliment to the Summit host and a recognition of what makes the difference. Strong local partnerships between colleges and employers simplify the system. They help more people, particularly younger people, move into jobs with the skills and support they need to succeed and stay there.
Simplifying the Skills System
Employers experience the skills and funding landscape as fragmented. Colleges, apprenticeships, alternative provision and funding streams operate separately, with no single point connecting them to live vacancies. When aligned around employer demand, they form a coherent talent pipeline. Julie Kapsalis MBE, Principal and CEO of Nescot, spoke about disruption and the role of further education in responding to a changing labour market.
Sessions throughout the day focused on practical alignment:
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Making employer entry points clearer
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Connecting funding to workforce need
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Placing the learner at the centre of decisions
Ben Rowland, representing the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, contributed the independent training provider perspective to the discussion, reinforcing the importance of turning policy into delivery that works on the ground.
The emphasis stayed practical and outcomes-focused.
Recognition through the Charter Mark Awards
Each SRAG Summit celebrates employers embedding social recruitment into everyday practice.
This time, OMNI FM, who was upgraded to a GOLD standard and Currys at Bronze, received Charter Mark recognition for their commitment to structured, inclusive recruitment and measurable social value impact.
Justice, Lived Experience and Employer Responsibility
Joni Emery, Director of Business Operations at Clinks, brought a personal and thoughtful perspective to the justice recruitment conversation.
She spoke about the profound impact that imprisonment can have on individuals and families, particularly where young children are involved. The social and emotional cost extends well beyond the sentence itself.
She also reflected on what made rebuilding possible: family support, education and an employer willing to offer opportunity. A role at SRAG Member, Timpson, allowed her to regain stability and reframe her experience, reinforcing the central role employment plays in restoring confidence and independence. Joni's contribution grounded the policy discussion in lived experience. It reinforced a clear message for employers in the room: access to work can be a turning point, and thoughtful recruitment practice has lasting impact.
The Justice Recruitment Advocacy Group model was highlighted by PeoplePlus' Emma Grigson and Lydia Baker, demonstrating how employers can build confidence in justice recruitment over time. The JRAG model supports employers at every stage - from first steps into prison leaver employment to scaling established programmes. It offers a practical structure that builds confidence and clarity.
Partner Carousel and Inclusive Performance
The partner carousel brought together organisations including Challenge-trg Skills, Nescot, Diverse Futures and Genius Within, giving employers direct access to practical routes into training, funding and justice pathways.
Nancy Doyle, Founder of Genius Within, also delivered a rigorous, evidence led session on performance expectations for neurodivergent employees. She explored psychological safety and clear expectations around quality, quantity and conduct, highlighting how workplaces can support strong performance while enabling people to raise challenges early and confidently.
Why SRAG Matters
Members work alongside other employers and delivery partners, using a clear framework that helps connect training to the jobs they need to fill. The outcome is straightforward; clearer routes into work for candidates, and a stronger, more reliable talent pipeline for employers.
What’s Next
The next SRAG Summit takes place on 13 May 2026 at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, hosted by G4S.
Bringing employers, educators and delivery partners together strengthens the workforce system and expands opportunity.
We look forward to continuing the work there.
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February 20, 2026Posted by:
