Skills Futures Forum 2026 Workshop Series
Skills, demands, and AI are advancing faster than most graduates, professionals and even organisations can keep pace with.
The Co-Labs Global Youth Community exists to bridge the gap between academia and industry, breaking down barriers to entry for young professionals navigating a fast-changing world. Our Skills Future Forum is launching with an event designed to do exactly that - bringing together expert-led sessions, real conversation, and genuine community in one space. We will also announce our plans to scale this across the UK and internationally, with key partnerships.
What the Day Covers
💰Economic Crime - exploring how deepfakes are being used to commit fraud, their impact on financial services, and how we can mitigate the risks.
🌟Sustainability in financial services - cutting through the buzzword to understand frameworks, regulation, and what it actually means for investors and businesses
💻 AI Practices - how it's already reshaping financial services and what that means for young professionals entering the industry, as well as those in already in industry
💡Career navigation - an honest panel conversation with industry professionals on how they got in, what skills matter, and whether it's easier or harder to start out now
Why Attend?
Too often these topics are defined by fear or complexity, when what young professionals actually need is clarity, context, and access to people who can support, and help cut through the noise. The Skills Future Forum brings together expert-led workshops, panel discussions and mentoring across the themes shaping the future of financial services - Economic Crime, Sustainability, and AI Practices.
Alongside the content, we're marking the Youth Community's first year and also sharing what's coming next, with space for curated networking throughout the day. If you're looking to build real knowledge, meet people who've been where you are, and get a clearer picture of where your career could go - this is the room to be in.
What You Will Gain
💡Practical knowledge across three key areas of financial services
💡Insights and encouragement from people who've been where you are
💡Clarity on where your career could go next
Who Should Attend?
This is for anyone who's trying to understand career paths, access work opportunities, build professional knowledge, or find a community of people who are at various stages of 'figuring it out'. It is also for those in industry who want to help build this community, and both support and learn from the next generations.