Businesses across Chesterfield are invited to meet tomorrow’s workforce and hear from an East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) director at an upcoming skills conference.
Now in its 10th year, the Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference allows businesses hoping to recruit, retain and develop staff to meet future talent and discover funded training opportunities.
The latest conference – taking place during National Apprenticeship Week 2026, on Thursday 12 February – continues the Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership‘s long-term commitment to developing skills and driving economic growth, offering employers the chance to see talent in action, connect with potential employees, explore apprenticeships, work experience and future recruitment opportunities.
Diane Beresford, partnership chair and East Midlands Chamber deputy chief executive officer, said: “For the past decade, this conference has been a catalyst for collaboration between employers, educators and training providers. Together, we’ve built a strong foundation for skills development in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
“As we look to the future, our focus is on creating even more opportunities for young people to thrive and for businesses to access the talent they need to grow. By working in partnership, we can ensure our local economy remains vibrant and competitive for years to come.”
At the conference, employers can meet students studying property and construction, manufacturing and engineering, digital and business studies, showcasing how their skills can benefit local businesses.
The conference is taking place at Chesterfield College.And young people from Chesterfield College will play a central role in the event – capturing videography and photography, presenting, catering and facilitating roundtable discussions. Students will also create a special montage reflecting on a decade of the conference.
The event will also show how employers can access fully funded training costs for apprentices under 25, plus new short courses including artificial intelligence (AI), engineering and digital skills – rolling out from April 2026.
Attendees will receive insights from advisors and industry leaders on the latest developments in employability, skills support and funding. Fliss Miller, EMCCA’s director of skills and employment, will discuss how the East Midlands Growth Plan is shaping the future of skills and employment.
The East Midlands Growth plan, led by the Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, sets out a long-term vision to deliver fast, fair growth for all, ensuring every community and resident across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire benefits from economic progress. The plan will add £13 billion to the regional economy and support 60,000 more people into work over the next decade, including delivering 210,000 new qualifications.
At the conference, delegates will also have the chance to tour Chesterfield College’s new Advanced Manufacturing and Life Sciences Centre, set to open this year. The state-of-the-art facility will showcase cutting-edge equipment and training spaces designed to support the next generation of engineers and life sciences professionals.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council leader and vice-chair of the Skills and Employment Partnership, said: “We want to ensure that everyone can benefit from a growing local economy, as well as work opportunities in the local area. So, working in partnership with local businesses and education providers is essential in helping Chesterfield residents to develop the skills they need to progress in their careers.
“I would encourage as many education providers and local businesses as possible to come along to the Employability and Skills Conference to network with others and help us to ensure that school leavers are ‘work ready’ and are as prepared as possible skills-wise to enter the world of work.”
The event is taking place on Thursday 12 February at Chesterfield College, from 8-11am. To find out more about the event and book your place, click here.
Published on: 26 January 2026
Categories: News, Skills and Employment