Wolverhampton is set to host a dynamic programme of events focused on skills and economic growth as part of Wolverhampton Business Week, running from 22 to 26 September.
The flagship Annual Business Breakfast takes place on Friday 26 September at Molineux Stadium, bringing together city leaders, employers, and educators, to explore how skills investment is powering Wolverhampton’s future. The event will be hosted by broadcaster Amber Sandhu, with keynote speaker The Rt Hon. the Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister for Skills at Department of Education, and Minister for Women and Equalities at Department of Education, sharing national insights. Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, will also be addressing the audience.
Councillor Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “Wolverhampton is investing in its people and its future, and Business Week is a powerful platform to showcase how we’re working with partners to create opportunities.
“The Business Breakfast is a key event in Wolverhampton Business Week, where employers, educators and city leaders will come together to hear about the future of skills and growth. I encourage anyone invested in Wolverhampton’s success to join us and be part of the conversation.”
The headline sponsors of the event are the Careers and Enterprise Company and City of Wolverhampton College. The College is a key partner along with the council, Adult Education Service and UK Government, on the new City Learning Quarter – due to open its doors to students in November. The City Learning Quarter main contractor McLaughlin & Harvey is also sponsoring the breakfast.
Louise Fall, Principal and Chief Executive at City of Wolverhampton College, who is speaking at the business breakfast said: “Skills are the foundation of a thriving economy and Wolverhampton is leading the way.
“The opening of the college’s new campus at the City Learning Quarter in the centre of Wolverhampton will enable hundreds more people from across the region to access courses and employment programmes to help them take the next steps to their future careers.
“We are always keen to work in partnership with employers to shape the curriculum and ensure the programmes we deliver equip students with the skills and knowledge they require their employees to have, and we are looking forward to connecting with many of them during the business week events.”
John Yarham, CEO of The Careers and Enterprise Company, who will also address the audience at the event, said: “The Careers and Enterprise Company is proud to support Wolverhampton Business Week, where collaboration on skills is powering growth and unlocking the city’s potential.”
Additional skills focused events taking place during the week include an Apprenticeships and Skills Policy Breakfast on Wednesday 24 September, hosted by the University of Wolverhampton; an Apprenticeship Drop In Event on Wednesday 24 September offering support to school leavers, hosted by Connexions; and a Connect Over Coffee event on Thursday 25 September, offering CV support and the chance to meet local employers, hosted by the council’s Wolves at Work team.