Skills 25: A Catalyst For Workforce Innovation In Kent And Medway

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Driving Regional Skills Development Through Collaboration

On 18 March, industry leaders, policymakers, and educators gathered for Skills 25, a landmark event focused on addressing workforce challenges and fostering meaningful collaboration across sectors. Hosted by the Kent and Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and funded by the UK Government, the summit provided a platform for discussing and shaping the future of skills development in the region.

Skills 25 was designed to equip businesses and education providers with the tools and strategies needed to navigate an evolving economic landscape. Throughout the day, discussions centred on key industries and the LSIP priority sectors – construction, manufacturing, health and social care, food production, education, and the creative sectors—highlighting the urgent need for workforce adaptability and forward-thinking solutions.

A major achievement of the summit was the strengthened partnerships between business leaders and education providers. Employers emphasised the importance of aligning training programmes with industry demands, ensuring that regional talent pipelines are equipped with the necessary expertise to support long-term economic growth. By fostering direct engagement, Skills 25 helped bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring that businesses can access a workforce that is both skilled and resilient.

Expert Speakers Driving the Conversation

The event featured a lineup of influential speakers who provided valuable insights into workforce development and industry innovation. Tudor Price, CEO of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, served as host, guiding discussions and ensuring that key themes remained at the forefront.

Attendees also heard from Lucy Druesne of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Jonathan Shaw of Kent Further Education, and key representatives from government, education, and leading businesses across Kent and Medway. Experts addressed critical issues surrounding workforce adaptability, innovation, and sustainable business growth.

Reflecting on the importance of the event, Lauren Edwards, MP for Rochester and Strood, emphasised the need for collaboration in tackling workforce challenges, “This event is a fantastic opportunity to get everyone together across various sectors in Kent & Medway to talk about the skills challenges in our region and how we work together to tackle them.  This will help us deliver economic growth.”

Speaking on the day, Tudor Price expressed his enthusiasm for the event’s success and the impact it will have on workforce development across the region, “It’s been a fantastic day here at Skills 25, it certainly surpassed my expectations. We’ve had some tremendous speakers that have given some powerful insight, and we’ve had some fantastic examples from the businesses here around how they are addressing some of the challenges that they face. But I think, more importantly, it’s really created momentum and encouraged the development and maturity in the conversation around skills and how we can best support young people coming through so we can really boost our economy here in Kent & Medway.”

The passion for skills development was echoed by Cathal Taylor from O’Halloran & O’Brien, who highlighted the energy and commitment seen throughout the event:
“What’s really impressed me about today is the passion that I’ve seen in the rooms. How people really want to tackle training to help the next generations.”

Embracing Innovation for a Future-Ready Workforce

Equally crucial to the discussions was the integration of emerging technologies and sustainable practices into workforce development. Employers and policymakers explored strategies for navigating automation, sustainability initiatives, and workforce adaptability, recognising that investment in innovation is key to maintaining a competitive edge. The event underscored the need for businesses to embrace new ways of working, enabling them to future-proof their operations while contributing to a more robust and dynamic regional economy.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), often facing unique challenges, also benefited from targeted insights into funding opportunities and workforce planning. By addressing SME-specific concerns, Skills 25 ensured that businesses of all sizes have access to the resources and strategies necessary for attracting and retaining skilled talent.

Beyond identifying workforce challenges, the summit set a clear path forward, with actionable strategies designed to strengthen Kent and Medway’s economic landscape. The momentum gained from Skills 25 will continue, with preparations already underway for Skills 26, scheduled for 18 March 2026. This next event promises to build on the success of its predecessor, ensuring that workforce development remains a priority and that businesses and educators continue working together to drive meaningful, long-term impact.

SKILLS 25 – View the highlights reel here