Inspiring Forest is an aspirational project to create career change in the Forest of Dean District.

The project aims to raise career aspirations amongst young people, their parents and their teachers across the Forest of Dean; Raise awareness of the eclectic mix of businesses in the area and of the types of jobs available and increase awareness of the skills required for jobs locally at all levels from apprentices to senior managers.

In November 2022, the FEP will host its first District Wide Inspiring the Forest Event at the Gloucestershire College campus in the Forest of Dean.

This event will look to show case local businesses from all 10 of the key employment sectors within the Forest of Dean including yours. The key employment sectors include Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing; Professional, Scientific & Technical; Construction; Business Admin & Support; Manufacturing; Retail; Arts & Entertainment; Recreation, Accommodation & Food Services (aka tourism); Information & Communication; and Transport, Storage & Logistics. This will be an interactive event to engage pupils of all ages and their parents and make them aware of exciting and hidden job opportunities in the Forest of Dean.

Research proves that if you can’t see it, you can’t be it, so we want to showcase available roles to the audience. For example, if you work at The Speech House as a chef, you might be involved in costing ingredients, taking fabulous photographs of your dishes for social media, managing and developing staff as well as preparing and cooking fabulous meals.

To achieve their goal, the FEP needs your support as a local business in the Forest of Dean and we’ll help you with your goal, to find extraordinary and emerging talent for your business, being able to connect with potential local employees. You can build a talent pipeline, engage this audience on work experience or share your vacancies with them too. We know finding people to work for you is extremely hard at the moment. This event will help showcase your employer brand and help make you an employer of choice in the vicinity.

On the 14th June, we are inviting you to join an online forum meeting to ask the questions:

1) What would you like to see at the event?

2) Would you like to show case your business as an example businesses in your sector?

3) Would you like to sponsor the event?

4) Would you like to build your relationship with the local schools in your area?