Business and education sector leaders are being urged to come together for a free employability and skills conference in the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership area next month (February).
The third annual ‘Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference’, will be held at Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa, Ringwood Rd, Brimington, Chesterfield, from 8am to 10.30am on Wednesday February 13. (A previous Conference is pictured).
Organisers Chesterfield Borough Council, Gail Widerman of skills consultancy Placing Futures and Destination Chesterfield use the Conference and networking event to strengthen links between education providers and local businesses, to ensure school leavers are ready for the world of work.
The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership is the private sector-led Partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary services which promotes economic growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. It supports skills, and in-school and college careers development across its area.
With the Government-backed Careers & Enterprise Company, the D2N2 LEP runs the D2N2 Enterprise Adviser Network. This has nine Enterprise Coordinators aiding over 90 Enterprise Advisers, volunteers from the business community, in supporting over 100 schools with their careers strategy; widening pupils’ experience of and attitudes to the world of work.
D2N2 is backing the February 13 Conference as an opportunity for employers and education providers to develop solutions which ensure young people leaving education have the skills employers in the area are looking for, and that they are also aware of the employment opportunities available to them.
Headline speakers at the event include Brendan Kelly, Managing Director of the Heathcotes Group of Chesterfield; a provider of specialist residential care for adults with learning disabilities, mental illness and challenging behaviours.
Mr Kelly said: “Bringing on talented and dedicated people through apprenticeships has been vital to Heathcotes’ success, in what is currently a very challenging health and social care sector.
“Working with our learning partners, Chesterfield College, we have developed a work-based learning programme which has been very successful in developing long-term careers in this region, so we welcome the opportunity to speak at this conference to advocate the enormous value of apprenticeships for school leavers and businesses alike.”
Speakers from business consultancy Capgemini, Brookfield School and St Marys Roman Catholic High School are also due to speak at the event.
To book to attend the free Conference CLICK THE LINK HERE.
Schools and businesses wanting more information about the D2N2 LEP Enterprise Adviser Network, or to get involved, should go to web link www.d2n2skills.co.uk/d2n2-ean or contact Rachel Quinn – D2N2 LEP Careers, Employability & Inclusion Manager – on 0115 957 8757 ext. 2211 or email: Rachel.Quinn@d2n2lep.org
