Skills development key to region's success say business leaders

Organised by accountancy firm Grant Thornton, the Live Lab event considered the impact and importance of educating, training and retaining skilled people on future economic growth.

Increased collaboration between businesses and charities, greater accessibility of talented school leavers to employers, and the role of technology in alerting young people to future career opportunities were among the many suggestions put forward at the event, which was attended by more than 200 members of the region’s business, academic, public sector, and arts and culture communities.

Jane Oakland, corporate partner at Thrings, was among the attendees. Jane says: "The West of England is blessed with a wealth and richness of talent across so many different sectors. As a business community, we need to continue working closely with those charitable organisations which do so much vital work to help individuals succeed, providing practical advice and support so that young people have the best possible opportunity to prosper.”

Click here to read the Bristol Post’s account of the event.