“The skills landscape in the UK: investing in upskilling and retraining” was a breakout session at the National Manufacturing Conference 2026 that explored how manufacturers were responding to changing workforce demands by investing in upskilling and retraining existing employees. The session shared findings and recommendations from Make UK’s Industrial Strategy Skills Commission, outlining the latest policy insights, government support and funding routes. Speakers showed how companies of different sizes were approaching skills development and tech training, and highlighted scalable solutions that businesses could adopt. Short scene‑setting presentations were followed by interactive table discussions and Q&A, giving attendees both strategic context and practical ideas to take back to their organisations.