Skills 26

WELCOME

Join us on Wednesday 18th March for SKILLS 26 – the second annual Kent & Medway Skills Summit.

Building on the success of last year’s event, SKILLS 26 will continue to serve as a dynamic platform for exploring and advancing the essential skills that will shape Kent and Medway’s future. This year’s summit will focus on identifying challenges and opportunities related to the skills needed for success across our evolving economic landscape.

Led by the Kent and Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and funded by UK Government, SKILLS 26 will act as a hub for knowledge exchange, offering actionable strategies to navigate the demands of the modern workforce.

Expect energising conversations, inspiring stories, and actionable insights from those who are driving change and making an impact. Attendees will benefit from thought-provoking discussions and practical solutions to address the pressing challenges facing regional employers in workforce development, productivity, and growth. A comprehensive programme of panel discussions and seminars will run throughout the day in dedicated breakout spaces, creating opportunities for networking and collaboration.

By bringing together industry and education, we aim to foster a lasting legacy of engagement and innovation within the regional skills system.

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND

Managing Directors, Business Owners, Senior Leaders, and Learning & Development teams from all sectors and industries across Kent & Medway can look forward to:

- Explore challenges and opportunities within the regional skills landscape.
- Gain practical insights from leading voices and adopting strategies that drive business success.
- Join dynamic discussions, uncovering innovative solutions, and building meaningful connections.
- Strengthen collaboration between industry and education to power economic growth and future prosperity.
- Encourage cross-sector collaboration and joint learning, addressing common themes that impact all industries.

The summit offers a unique chance to connect with like-minded professionals, local education and training providers, and key stakeholders. Discover how working together can unlock long-term benefits, boost productivity, and shape a thriving future for Kent & Medway.

Building on the success of the Kent & Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP)
The LSIP has already made significant strides in identifying and addressing critical skills gaps across Kent & Medway. Working in partnership with employers, education providers, and stakeholders, the LSIP has tackled priority areas such as digital skills, decarbonisation, and SME engagement, while driving progress across key sectors including Construction, Manufacturing, Health and Social Care, Food Production, and Education.

This collaborative approach has been instrumental in shaping a skills system that meets the needs of our region. The engagement and commitment of stakeholders have not only enriched discussions but have played a vital role in pinpointing the skills our communities need to thrive.

Looking ahead, the LSIP’s future priorities focus on building momentum - further enhancing workforce capabilities through targeted training and upskilling initiatives. By continuing to work together, we can unlock even greater outcomes for Kent & Medway, ensuring businesses and individuals are equipped to succeed in a rapidly evolving economy.

PANEL DISCUSSION 1

The Business of Skills facilitated by Jonathan Shaw

The Business of Skills panel will examine why skills, training, and workforce development must be treated as core strategic drivers within every business plan—not optional add‑ons. Drawing on insights from policy leaders and local employers, the discussion will reaffirm that investing in people is directly tied to productivity, profitability, innovation, and long‑term business resilience.

Panel Members

Mel Collins, Skills England

This seminar session will run from 11:20am-12:00pm
Please select from one of the following:

1. The Productivity Puzzle; Unlocking Potential

Discover how investing in the right skills can transform productivity, boost performance and unlock the full potential of your workforce. This seminar explores practical ways businesses can tackle low productivity through targeted skills development, stronger workplace culture, effective leadership and higher employee engagement.

2. Beyond Profit; Unlocking Social Value For Business Growth & Community Impact
Discover how delivering social value can give your business a competitive advantage while creating meaningful impact in local communities. This seminar explores what social value really means, why it’s increasingly essential in planning and procurement, and how organisations can embed it to strengthen reputation, win contracts, and drive inclusive growth.

3. Innovation In Action; Inventing The Future
Where is innovation happening in Kent & Medway and what’s coming next? Join us for a fast‑paced look at the region’s innovation edge, spotlighting the trailblazing organisations, new technologies and future‑focused skills shaping tomorrow’s economy.

4. Apprenticeships Unpacked: Real Stories, Clear Support, Future-Ready Talent

5. Leadership For The Future; Developing Strategic Thinking & Adaptive Leadership
Discover what great leadership looks like in a fast‑changing world. This seminar explores purposeful, strategic and adaptive leadership-giving you the tools to inspire teams, navigate complexity and build a future‑ready organisation.

SEMINAR SESSION 2

This seminar session will run from 12:10pm-12:50pm
Please select from one of the following:

6. Inclusive Growth & Social Mobility; Skills For All
Discover how to break down barriers and open up high‑value career pathways for underrepresented groups. This inspiring session explores inclusive recruitment, skills access, and real examples of employers creating opportunities that change lives.

7. Digital Transformation, AI & Skills
Discover the digital and AI‑driven skills shaping tomorrow’s workforce. This seminar explores how technology is transforming roles, industries and the capabilities businesses need to stay competitive. Learn how to close digital skills gaps, future‑proof your teams and embrace the opportunities of the new economy.

8. Green Skills For A Sustainable Economy
Discover the skills needed to power Kent & Medway’s transition to Net Zero. This seminar explores emerging green jobs, low‑carbon technologies and the training pathways that prepare businesses and individuals for a sustainable future.

9. Scaling Up In Kent & Medway; Skills On The Rise
Growing fast? Your skills strategy needs to grow with you. This seminar explores the skills challenges businesses face during rapid expansion and how to build the workforce, leadership and capability needed to scale successfully in Kent & Medway.

10. Bridging The Gap; How Business Can Shape Education
Discover how your business can work with education partners through T‑Level placements, apprenticeships, bootcamps, mock interviews and more. Learn how these partnerships unlock new talent, strengthen your workforce pipeline and create long‑term growth opportunities.

TUDOR PRICE (Host)
Chief Executive at 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.

FACILITATED BY: JONATHAN SHAW
Strategic Director at Kent Further Education

Jonathan’s career has been remarkably diverse, spanning roles as a farm worker, care assistant, and social worker before entering politics. He served as a Member of Parliament for three terms (1997–2010), during which he held several ministerial positions, including roles at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). He was also the Regional Minister for the South East and served as a Government Whip.

In addition, Jonathan contributed as a Private Parliamentary Secretary at the Department for Education (DfE) and was an active member of the Education and Skills Select Committee for four years.

Currently, Jonathan is the Strategic Director for Kent Further Education and serves as a board member, having previously been the Chief Executive of the think tank Policy Connect. He is also the Chair of the Blackthorn Trust, a Kent-based mental health charity, and has been running the Medway Leadership Programme for the past 14 years.

MEL COLLINS
Head of South Team at Skills England

I lead Skills England’s place-specific work for the South of England, through which we work closely with a wide range of local stakeholders, in particular Strategic Authorities and the designated Employer Representative Bodies working on Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs). I also have national responsibility for the whole of the LSIP programme, ensuring that this policy delivers against its ambitious 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

FACILITATED BY: LUCY DRUESNE
Deputy CEO at Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

Lucy leads strategic initiatives that strengthen business across Kent & Medway. Her responsibilities include policy and representation, as well as the design and delivery of projects that address the needs of local businesses.

Lucy played a pivotal role in developing the Kent & Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and continues to serve as its strategic lead. The LSIP works closely with employers, sector bodies, and education providers to identify priority skills gaps and solutions that help align training provision with business needs in key growth sectors.

SKILLS 26

Collaborate, Innovate, Succeed

SPEAKERS

PANEL DISCUSSION
THE BUSINESS OF SKILLS

PANEL DISCUSSION