Conference interpreters have traditionally been trained using the apprenticeship model, which nurtures progression from the level of apprentice to the level of journeyman. Conference interpretation has hitherto necessitated a certain specific skillset, including a solid knowledge of the working languages and related cultures, sound procedural know-how, a wide general cultural awareness, and a steadily developed competence in a series of specific tasks and skills inherent in consecutive and simultaneous interpreting. Training programmes have consequently tried to teach these competencies and skills and attempted to adapt curricula to the relevant markets. In this changing world, however, these competencies and skills may not be enough. The presenters will analyse the competencies that are taught by interpretation schools and those increasingly being required by the market. The presenters will then explore the needs stemming from the challenges that confront interpreters nowadays, driven by a more globalised world with an exponentially-increasing technological capacity and by the existence of the information society. The goal will be to determine if the competencies being taught and the skills being inculcated are still robust enough to meet the new demands. It will be argued that the continuation of a ‘business as usual' approach denies the obvious, and that there is a crucial need to confront the gap between what is taught and the new imperatives of the interpreting market. It will be demonstrated that not only the apprentices must adapt, but that the change should be led first and foremost by the trainers.