This morning at DoubleTree by Hilton - Cadbury House, we hosted the Future of our Region employer conference, which was a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to come together and discuss how we can address local skills gaps, attract new talent, and shape the future of work within our region.

The conference started with a talk from our Chief Finance Officer, Janet Stephens, who discussed the Future of Skills, and the key trends and challenges businesses are facing, including recruitment difficulties and retention issues. This was followed by a talk on how Weston College can help address these problems through training solutions, collaborative working, forward thinking and place-based solutions.

Jane Murch, on behalf of MP Dan Aldridge, provided some thought-provoking insights into business growth in Weston-super-Mare and how we can tackle the issue of local skills gaps.

One part of the conference featured an employer panel which consisted of Airbus, Occuteach, The Bristol Port Company and Cadbury House, as well as Greta, a T Level industry placement student from Occuteach, Daniel a Degree Apprentice from Airbus, and Nick a Leadership and Management ILM learner. The panel impressed everyone in the room through their engaging insights into how their apprentices and industry placement students have made positive and impactful changes to not only their business, but also to the student’s lives. Everyone was especially impressed by the learner’s insights on the panel – all of which spoke very confidently and showcased their passion through some excellent answers to the questions asked.

Degree Apprentice Daniel spoke of his passion for changing any negative perceptions on apprenticeships and showcasing apprenticeships to school students to make them aware of their benefits. Greta urged employers to get on board with taking on industry placement students, as she has gained personal and professional growth through her time at Occuteach.

Pat Jones, principal of the Weston College Group, quoted: "The Future of our Region event was a tremendous success, bringing together a diverse group of business leaders and professionals to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing our local economy. The insights shared and connections made during the event have laid the groundwork for new partnerships that will drive innovation, collaboration, and growth. It was inspiring to see the collective commitment to addressing skills gaps, and shaping a more inclusive and resilient workforce. Together, we have taken a significant step towards securing a brighter future for our region."

As an additional touch, everyone in attendance of the conference left with a plant to symbolise growth, which were very popular!

Thank you to all employers who came along to the Future of our Region conference.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.