Skills 25

WELCOME

Join us on Tuesday 18th March 2025 for Skills 25, a cross-sector skills summit with ambitions to serve as a dynamic platform for exploring and advancing essential skills driving Kent and Medway’s future. Skills 25 will focus on identifying challenges and opportunities related to the skills needed for success across industries and sectors in our evolving economic landscape.

Led by the Kent and Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and funded by UK Government, Skills 25 will serve as a nexus of knowledge exchange, providing actionable strategies to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the modern workforce.

Skills 25 will feature insights from leading experts in economic development, policy, education, and skills. Attendees can expect thought-provoking discussions and practical solutions to address the pressing challenges facing regional employers in workforce development, productivity and growth. A comprehensive schedule of talks, seminars, and workshops will be held throughout the day in dedicated breakout rooms, providing opportunities for networking and cross-sector collaboration. By bringing together industry and education, we aim to create a lasting legacy of engagement and innovation within the regional skills system.

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND

Managing Directors, Business Owners, Senior Leaders, and Learning and Development teams from Construction, Manufacturing, Engineering, Food and Food Production, Social Care, Education and the Creative sector, attending the summit can expect to:

- Identify challenges and opportunities in the regional skills landscape.
- Learn from industry experts and implement actionable strategies to boost your business success.
- Join thought-provoking discussions, discover innovative solutions, and build valuable connections.
- Foster collaboration between industry and education to drive economic prosperity and future growth.

The summit provides a unique opportunity to network with like-minded individuals and connect with local education and training providers, policy makers and stakeholders. Discover how collaboration can unlock long-term benefits, drive economic prosperity, and fuel future growth.

The LSIP has made substantial progress in identifying and addressing critical skill gaps across key sectors such as Construction, Manufacturing, Health and Social Care, Food and Food production, Education and the Creative Industries. Developed with employers in partnership with education providers, and stakeholders, the LSIP has played a vital role in identifying and addressing skill gaps across these sectors and themes including digital skills, decarbonisation, and SME engagement. The LSIP’s future priorities include further enhancing the capabilities of the regional workforce through targeted training and upskilling initiatives.

The success of the Kent and Medway LSIP is a testament to the collaborative efforts of stakeholders invested in enhancing skills and improving opportunities within our communities. Their engagement and commitment have not only enriched skills discussions but have also played a crucial role in identifying the skills needs of our region. This engagement will continue to play a vital role in our future activities and will ensure we can achieve even greater outcomes for Kent and Medway.

TUDOR PRICE (Host)
Chief Executive, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

A skilled business leader within both the private and public sector. Proven operational and contract delivery experience with broad commercial expertise in all corporate functions. Experienced Chairperson and facilitator at national and regional level representing cross sector engagement.

Specialities: Leadership, Presentation & communication, Committee work, Bid writing, Economic Development
Relationship management, Operational design & delivery, Contract performance and delivery.

MEL COLLINS
Shadow Skills England, Head of Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs)

Within my role as the Head of Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) at Shadow Skills England I oversee the whole of the LSIP programme, which means I and my team work closely with the 38 designated Employer Representative Bodies (ERBs) to ensure that the LSIP policy delivers against its objectives.

I have been working on LSIPs and their accompanying funding programmes (the Strategic Development Fund and the Local Skills Improvement Fund) since December 2021, and through this time period I have seen some brilliant projects, with groups of FE providers collaborating to develop innovative provision to meet current and emerging skills needs, as well as employers shifting in their understanding of the skills system thanks to the work of the ERBs.

LAUREN EDWARDS
Labour MP for Rochester and Strood (Elected in July 2024)

Prior to being elected to parliament she was the Medway Council Cabinet Member for Economic and Social Regeneration and Inward investment responsible for local businesses, labour market planning and strategic skills development, and inward investment.

Her academic background is in international relations and social sciences, and she holds a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is a former manager at the Bank of England, responsible for regulating large financial companies.

She is a member of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Select Committee and chairs several All Party Parliamentary Groups relating to financial services, employment and skills.

SKILLS 25

Collaborate, Innovate, Succeed

SPEAKERS

SESSION 1: THE VOICE OF BUSINESS IN THE SKILLS SYSTEM

SUPPORTED BY