Join us for a mornings workshop to get up to speed on Net Zero and skills.

What are the implications of Net Zero targets for the people within the sectors on the leading edge in engineering, manufacturing, construction and transport?

What is the rate of change, how can smaller organisations keep up and remain competitive? What support is available? Will rural areas be left behind?

The first workshop will share information from local business, economic research and current government policy to set the scene and share knowledge on the opportunities and challenges ahead for business to meet the Net Zero targets, with a focus on the local productivity gap, which is creating shortages in the labour market.

Agenda: (Updated 07/05/21)

0900 – Introductions and welcome – Vicki Ayton, (Business Development Manager, CREST, University Centre Shrewsbury/University of Chester)

0915 – Green jobs and skills landscape – Professor Joe Howe, (Director, Thornton Energy Institute, University of Chester)

0940 - The Role of Resource Efficiency – working towards Net Zero - Professor Julieanna Powell-Turner (Research Director, CREST, University Centre Shrewsbury/University of Chester)

1000 - W.Mids Low Carbon skills report and future projects – Tim Yair, (Regional Senior Energy Projects Officer, Marches Midlands Energy Hub)

1020 – Q&A

1040 – Net Zero Skills Routemaps - Construction – Sandra Stevens, (Local Partnerships Manager, CITB)

1055 - Net Zero/ Climate Change Routemap - Manufacturing - TBC, (Make UK)

1110 – Regional Case Study 1 – Transport and Biofuels – Steven Scarrott, (Senior Transport Planner, Midlands Connect)

1120 – Q&A

1130 – Regional Case Study 1: Battery Industry and Skills – Mark Thompson, (MD, AceOn Group)

1140 – Regional Case Study 2: Repowering the Black Country – John Duncan (PM, Camirus)

1150 - Net Zero skills and the future role of Chambers - Richard Sheehan, (MD, Shropshire Chamber)

1155 – Net Zero & Marches Skills Provider Network - Corinne Brown (BDM, Shrewsbury Colleges Group)

1200 - Breakout 10 mins

1210 – Breakout session 1 – What are the top 3 priorities for the Marches and W. Midlands in relation to skills and Net Zero?

1220 – Break out session 1 feedback

1230 – Break out session 2 – What opportunities could Net Zero provide to the Marches to support Levelling Up?

1240 – Break out session feedback

1250 – Summary and close

1300 – End

This is a University of Chester event in collaboration with CREST.

CREST@UCS is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).