Broad spectrum of businesses booked in for Skills Conference

The local business and education worlds will gather in force next month for Warwickshire County Council's annual Skills Conference.

More than 100 businesses and more than 30 schools and colleges will be represented at the conference which, now in its fourth year, has become an important milestone in the county's business calendar.

It will take place at the National Agriculture & Exhibition Centre, Stoneleigh, on Wednesday 7th March from 8am-10am (free buffet breakfast from 7.30am).

All aspects of the vital issue of how to fill the skills gap affecting businesses in Warwickshire will be addressed and the mix of expertise and perspectives present will provide a perfect platform for honest and healthy discussion.

Businesses which have already booked to attend the conference are drawn from a wide range of sectors including construction, engineering, advanced manufacturing, tourism and legal services. Among those present will be Balfour Beatty, Aston Martin, QHotels, HORIBA MIRA, and Wright Hassall Ltd.

Warwickshire County Council's skills for employment manager Glenn Robinson said: "We are delighted to again be hosting this important event and it's great that so many business, schools and colleges have committed to attend.

"The range of delegates in attendance means we will have a really lively debate about how business and education can work effectively together to address skills shortages and prepare young people for the world of work."

Also at the conference, plans will be announced for further funding in Skills for Employment to follow the £2.4million already invested in the programme by Warwickshire County Council since 2015.

The conference is free to attend but places must be booked in advance in light of last year's sell-out attendance. A limited number of places is still available.

To obtain a full programme, please email skillsforemployment@warwickshire.gov.uk

http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/skillsforemployment.

Places at the conference can be booked at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-warwickshire-skills-challenge-how-can-we-meet-it-tickets-41276691696?aff=es2