A major conference is set to discuss how Plymouth is expected to grow its population to 300,000 and the effect it will have on employers as the undergoes what is being termed an “unprecedented” period of investment and economic change.
The Employer’s Conference, held at City College Plymouth, will see a line-up of top-level speakers tackle issues such as job creation, the skills gap facing the city and how it transitions from “good” to “great”.
Projects such as the £40million groundbreaking heritage attraction The Box, the £7.4million digital creative hub and videodome being built at Devonport Market Hall and the Oceansgate marine enterprise zone development are predicted to spark growth that will require an influx of talent well versed in a variety of modern skill-sets.
READ MORE: {}
At the same time, the Plymouth Plan has outlined population growth to 300,000 by 2031, form the current 263,000, with a resident workforce which meets the demand for skills.
The conference, on Friday, October 18, 2019, will cover how employers will cope with this growth, and how to train the workforce of the future - including utilising the experience of Armed Forces veterans and bringing ex-offenders into the working world.
The keynote speaker is former MP and chair of the Education Select Committee, Neil Carmichael, who will talk about the crucial link education plays in supporting economic growth.
Brexit news...
On the agenda will be:
what sectors need in terms of jobs and skills to fulfil the anticipated demand
Most Read
how the City College Plymouth itself needs to change to provide the workforce for the future
how organisations can support the anticipated public sector growth
retraining Armed Forces veterans and ex-offenders
the potential impact of Brexit on recruitment of skilled positions.
The conference’s speakers will also include:
Steve Cardew , chair of Plymouth City Council’s Employment and Skills Board, who will give the Board’s view on where the skills gaps lie
Paul James , chief finance officer and deputy chief executive of Delt Shared Services, on how keeping investment in the region is crucial to supporting sustainable growth
Don’t miss
Peter Kelly , chief executive of Imployable, on how business must engage with those on the margins of society to meet the challenge of growing inclusively
Jackie Grubb , the City College principal will explain the college’s ambitions in working with all educational institutions in supporting such rapid growth while helping lobby for greater investment.
She said: “We need a workforce able to seize the opportunities the city has within its grasp. The college, together with Plymouth’s collective educational institutions, will be fundamental to achieving that.
How to contact William Telford and Business Live
Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region.
To contact William: Email: william.telford@reachplc.com - Phone: 01752 293116 - Mob: 07584 594052 - Twitter: - LinkedIn: - Facebook:
Stay in touch: BusinessLive newsletters have been re-designed to make them even better. We send morning bulletins straight to your inbox on the latest news, views and opinion in the South West. Get our breaking news alerts and weekly sector reviews too. Sign up now - it's free and it only takes a minute. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click .
And visit the Business Live South West LinkedIn page
“We must also see this as an opportunity to eliminate inequality and use this exciting time to provide opportunities to those living in our most deprived areas.
“The chance to raise aspirations, improve Plymouth’s social mobility and overall well-being is not one we can afford to pass up.”
To attend the conference e-mail employers@cityplym.ac.uk or call 01752 305026. There will be time for networking, a Q&A session to the panel and round table discussions.