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Description

With its strategic location and diverse industrial base, the East Midlands is well positioned to drive UK economic growth, providing a pivotal moment right now – significant opportunity is in reach but needs to be unlocked, and central to this is ensuring the skills and workforce landscape is fit for purpose.

Over the last 12 months our Quarterly Economic Survey has revealed 6 out of 10 East Midlands firms have had difficulty finding employees with the required level of skill to fill a vacancy, which is holding back growth and not providing training and opportunities for those seeking employment, that align with the needs of businesses.

Through a range of keynote speakers, workshops and panel discussions the 2026 Conference will focus on the key areas that will enable economic growth, through the targeting skills reform, improved recruitment and retention, and how to develop sustainable interventions that support better business engagement with educators.

On the day there will be a particular focus on the key asks set out in the Chamber’s Framework for Growth, where we will explore at how we can:

- Create Flexible Skills Funds for SMEs and Microbusinesses

- Align Skills Funding with Business and Workforce Planning Cycles

- Simplify Access to Government Training and Skills Schemes

- Build a stronger, fairer and more resilient economy by developing workplaces that are inclusive, diverse and equitable.

Overview

AGENDA (to date)

- Welcome – Professor Sam Grogan, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience, Loughborough University

- The Impact of AI on Employment Trends – Particular Focus on new entrants to the job market - Professor Eva Selenko, Professor in Work Psychology, Loughborough University.

- Inclusive Growth in Practice: How EDI Is Shaping Skills Investment in the East Midlands.

Presentation on most recent findings of the Chamber and emh Group research on EDI in the workplace, aimed at ensuring that all people, in skills development and employment opportunities, are included.

- Discussion and Q&A session with Joanne Tilley, Executive Director of People and Strategy & Company Secretary, emh Group on the EDI agenda.

- Update of the current climate of employment challenges, including the impact of the Employment Rights Act, provided by the Employment Law Team at Howes Percival.

- Panel discussion - attracting and retainintg talent, and improving producitvity.

WORKSHOPS (to date):

- Why Good People Leave: Neuro-Inclusive Approaches to Skills and Retention - Marilla Bianco, Director & Founder, Work’n’Diversity CIC

- Do you need health coaching skills in your team? - Dr Ollie Hart, Managing Director, Peak Health Coaching

- Before the Absence: Early Intervention for Employees Under Hidden Pressure - Dr Elizabeth Rozario, former GP turned qualified coach and trainer, The Caregiving Journey CIC

- Stop Training. Start Changing: Building a Learning Culture That Sticks - Si Beales, Founder & Learning Director of Sidedoor Studio

Additional Information

We currently have exhibitor and sponsor opportunties for this Conference, please email policy@emc-dnl.co.uk for further detail.

This event is available for: Anybody

16th June 2026

9:00am - 1:30pm

In-Person

West Park Teaching Hub, Loughborough, LE11 3QF

FREE

Members must Sign in / Register to purchase member only tickets

Sorry this event is for Members Only.

In stock

*All our business prices are excluding VAT at 20%.

For further information on this event, please contact The Policy Team on 0333 320 0333 or email policy@emc-dnl.co.uk

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East Midlands People and Skills Conference - 2026: A Framework for Growth

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