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The Kent & Medway Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) was proud to host and organise Skills 26, a landmark regional skills event that
brought together employers, educators, policy leaders and training providers from across Kent & Medway.
Held on Wednesday 18 March 2026 at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel, Maidstone, Skills 26 was more than a conference. It was a statement of intent, demonstrating what can be achieved when a region works collaboratively to place skills, productivity and workforce development at the heart of economic growth.
Setting the national and regional context
The event opened with two keynote addresses that firmly positioned Kent & Medway’s skills ambitions within both a national and regional landscape.
Lauren Edwards MP, Member of Parliament for Rochester & Strood, highlighted the vital role skills play in driving economic opportunity, productivity and social mobility. This was followed by insights from Nick Rashley, Deputy Director at Skills England, who explored the evolving national skills landscape and the increasingly important role regions play in shaping future workforce priorities.
Together, the keynotes reinforced a clear message: skills are not a standalone issue, but a central driver of long‑term economic success.
A truly collaborative event
Collaboration sat at the heart of Skills 26. Developed through the Kent & Medway LSIP and delivered in partnership with employers, colleges, universities, training providers and public sector partners, the event reflected the collective ownership of the region’s skills agenda.
This collaborative approach was evident throughout the day, not only in the breadth of organisations represented, but in the programme itself. A mix of keynote addresses, main‑stage panel discussions and sector‑focused seminars created space for open dialogue, challenge and shared learning.
Delegates represented a wide cross‑section of the local economy, including business, education, local government, healthcare, construction, manufacturing, professional services and the voluntary sector. This diversity ensured discussions were both strategic and grounded in real‑world experience.
Insightful panels and real‑world perspectives
Two main‑stage panel discussions anchored the day’s conversation.
The Business of Skills panel explored why skills, training and workforce development must be treated as core business priorities rather than optional extras. Drawing on perspectives from employers, policy leaders and regional partners, the discussion reinforced the direct link between skills investment, productivity, innovation and long‑term resilience.
Later in the programme, Emerging Talent: Bringing the Skills Agenda to Life put lived experience centre stage. Apprentices, early‑career professionals and employers shared honest insights into recruitment, development and progression, grounding the skills conversation in real stories and practical action.
Across both panels, the quality of discussion, strong audience engagement and openness in sharing challenges as well as successes contributed to a genuine sense of momentum and shared purpose.
Practical seminars with lasting impact
Alongside the panels, delegates participated in a series of focused seminars covering productivity, apprenticeships, social value, green skills, innovation and leadership.
These sessions offered practical takeaways for employers while reinforcing a consistent message: collaboration between business and education is essential to closing skills gaps and unlocking future growth.
The variety of voices in the breakout rooms, from SMEs to large employers, educators to policy specialists, ensured discussions were both forward‑looking and operationally relevant.
A strong message from leadership and employers
Opening the event, Tudor Price, Chief Executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, emphasised the importance of collective responsibility and long‑term commitment to skills.
“Skills 26 demonstrated what’s possible when businesses, educators and policy leaders come together with a shared purpose. The scale of engagement and the quality of conversation shows that Kent & Medway is serious about putting skills at the heart of economic growth.”
That sense of progress and collaboration was echoed by employers from across multiple sectors. Jo Nolan, CEO of Screen South and Chair of Creative Kent, highlighted the importance of events like Skills 26 in shaping an inclusive, joined‑up skills system:
“Events like Skills 26 are so important to the Skills development landscape in Kent as it helps focus the attention on an increasingly important area. The current needs of employers across all sectors are vital to match with new entrants and returners to work to ensure our strategies and training provision will work for all and bring about change where needed. I met very good people who get it and understand why cross sector collaboration is so important to the Creative Industries.”
Reflecting on the evolution of the event, Carol Ford, Sector Specialist for the Fresh Food & Horticulture Task Group and Executive Chair of Produced in Kent, added:
“Having attended both Skills 25 and Skills 26, I was genuinely struck by how much the event has grown; not only in scale, but in the quality of the networking and the depth of cross‑sector collaboration. This year’s theme, Collaborate, Innovate, Succeed, was truly brought to life, with a buzzing atmosphere, record numbers of passionate attendees, and incredibly meaningful conversations. It was inspiring to see ideas shared so openly across sectors and to learn about innovative pilots and initiatives directly from those leading the way.”
Momentum beyond the event
Perhaps the clearest marker of success was the atmosphere throughout the day. From networking over coffee to animated discussions between sessions, Skills 26 was characterised by energy, optimism and a shared determination to make progress.
As delegates left, conversations continued, reinforcing that Skills 26 was not a one‑off event, but a catalyst for ongoing collaboration, stronger partnerships and a more responsive skills system for Kent & Medway.
What happens next
Building on this momentum, the Kent & Medway LSIP will submit the first draft of its new Local Skills Improvement Plan at the end of March, with publication planned for the summer. The plan will set out the region’s skills priorities for the next two years, shaped directly by employer insight and engagement.
The commitment to collaboration will also continue with the return of the region’s flagship skills event. Skills 27 will take place at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel on Wednesday 17 March 2027 — save the date.
To find out more about the Kent & Medway LSIP and how to get involved, email lsip@kentinvictachamber.co.uk.
In bringing together hundreds of stakeholders around a shared agenda, Skills 26 reaffirmed that the future of skills in Kent & Medway is something best built, and delivered, together.
