Solutions for the Future - Hiring, Reskilling and Upskilling the Region

Solutions for the Future - Hiring, Reskilling and Upskilling the Region

Are you a business leader, HR professional, educator, or policymaker passionate about building a stronger, more inclusive workforce?

By Business in the Community

Date and time

Location

George Street

George Street Walsall WS1 United Kingdom

Agenda

Welcome and Introductions

Opening Remarks: Brief introduction to the event's purpose and goals. The importance of inclusive employment and skills development in the West Midlands

Keynote Moments - The Power of Purposeful Employment

Inspirational Talks: BITC’s “Inspire, Hire, Thrive” framework and how businesses can drive social mobility through inclusive hiring and development practices.

Panel Discussion: “Skills for the West Midlands – What’s Working?”

Themes: • Sector-specific skills gaps (e.g., construction, care, digital) • Apprenticeship levy transfers • Employer-led training models

Break and networking

Workshop: “Inclusive Hiring and Reskilling in Practice”

Interactive session: • Case studies of inclusive recruitment • How to support people with barriers to work (e.g., long-term unemployed, refugees, young people) • Practical tools for SMEs

Roundtable Discussions: “What Can We Do Together?”

Facilitated tables by theme: • Youth employment • Digital skills • Inclusive recruitment • Employer-led training Goal: Capture ideas, pledges, and partnerships.

Spotlight: “Walsall’s Social Mobility Challenge”

Focus: • Local deprivation and employment data • What businesses can do to improve life chances • Aligning with the “We Are Walsall 2040” vision

Closing Remarks and Next Steps

Summary of key takeaways Invitation to join a local employer skills network or pledge campaign Contact points for follow-up

About this event

  • Event lasts 2 hours 30 minutes

This is an in person event.


Audience

This event is open to both members and non-members of Business in the Community (BITC). We are keen to have social enterprises and SMEs at the event.

Join us for a dynamic morning of insight, collaboration, and action. This event brings together employers, educators, and community leaders to tackle the region’s most pressing employment and skills challenges—head-on.


🔍 Why Attend?

Creating meaningful employment is one of the most significant ways that businesses can support individuals to break out of poverty. A good job offers security, rights, a fair income and opportunities for personal development and progression. Yet, people from lower socio-economic backgrounds are far less likely to progress at work than their wealthier peers. For many low-income individuals, securing a job does not mean upward social mobility; but instead, remaining in a low-skill, low-pay cycle.

  • Discover how to hire inclusively, reskill effectively, and upskill strategically.
  • Learn from Business in the Community (BITC) and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) about regional strategies and national frameworks.
  • Explore local social mobility challenges and how your organisation can be part of the solution.
  • Connect with peers, training providers, and policymakers to spark new partnerships.


🎤 What to Expect:

  • Keynotes from national and regional leaders in employment and skills
  • Panel discussions on what’s working in the West Midlands
  • Interactive workshop on inclusive hiring and reskilling
  • Roundtable networking to share ideas and build collaborations

Whether you're a small business or a large employer, this event will equip you with the tools, insights, and connections to make a real impact.


👥 Who Should Attend?

  • Employers and HR professionals
  • Local authorities and policymakers
  • Colleges, training providers, and educators
  • Community organisations and employment support services

Refreshments

Light refreshments will be served.

Booking, contact details and further information

  • Contact Andreea.Tudor@bitc.org.uk, Regional Lead at BITC for any further questions.
  • Full joining instructions will be sent before the event.

Find out how your organisation can become a member of Business in the Community

Tags

Organised by

Business in the Community

Who we are

Business in the Community is the UK’s largest and most influential responsible business network dedicated to building a fairer and greener world together, supported by His Majesty The King for over 40 years. We inspire, engage and challenge purposeful leaders to take practical action to mobilise their collective strength as a force for good in society by:Working fairer – to help everyone reach their full potential.Working greener – to accelerate climate action.Working together – to continually improve business and deliver impact at pace and scale.

Our vision

A fairer and greener world driven by fairer and greener businesses.

Our mission

We convene the network of purposeful leaders committed to changing business, transforming lives and helping the planet and communities thrive.

Free
Sep 18 · 13:30 GMT+1