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Preparations are underway for Peterborough’s first-ever Skills Summit, promising the opportunity for businesses to voice their company’s skills needs and shape Peterborough’s skills agenda.

Alongside an insight into the economy, current skills levels and gaps from Opportunity Peterborough, this ground-breaking event will incorporate the launch of the Peterborough Skills Pledge and the Peterborough 100 in 100 campaign by the National Apprenticeship Service.

Director of Economic Development at Opportunity Peterborough, Neil Darwin, said:  

“We’ve been pushing for this for a long time and it’s great that Peterborough’s skills agenda is finally taking off.  The summit will bring businesses together to not only voice the skills they’re looking for now, but pre-empt the skills that they will need from their workforce in the future, allowing providers to equip themselves, ready to address those future needs.”

The skills summit will also provide a platform for The Big Conversation – a national call to action to encourage businesses to improve their work experience programmes for young people. The interactive workshop will also bring businesses and post-16 students together from across Peterborough to discuss what makes for a successful work placement, with one single objective.

 John Bridge OBE, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, said:

“500,000 students will be entering placements in 2011 so it’s crucial that we get it right. By making work experience more inspiring, interesting and insightful, young people will have access to practical opportunities to develop business relevant skills before they leave school.

 “Now more than ever, it’s an essential preparation for their future employment opportunities, and the Peterborough Skills Summit on Tuesday 30 November will provide a great opportunity for business to become genuinely involved.”

 University Centre Peterborough will be introducing their bite-size learning programme for employers, and Business Link East will be detailing the funding for skills development and support that they can provide to businesses. 

 The Peterborough Skills Summit has been led by Opportunity Peterborough and sponsored by Business Link East, Peterborough Regional College and Team Peterborough. For more details, visit the Chamber website at www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk

Peterborough Skills Summit

Tuesday 30 November 2010

9.00am-12.30pm, 1.30-4.30pm

Marriott Hotel, Lynch Wood, Peterborough, PE2 6GB