The Essex Chambers of Commerce annual Festival of Business was held on 13 November at Chelmsford City Racecourse. The event was a remarkable success, with 100 exhibitors and 700 attendees, and Skills focussed heavily.

All colleges and independent training providers from across the county had stands. It was great to catch up with so many familiar faces!

The event was sponsored by Essex County Council, who also funded the production of a Skills Essex brochure. This brochure, which highlights the rich skill provision in the county and the importance of investing in skills, will be circulated to 8,000 employers. It is also available in digital format on our LSIP website for county-wide use.

During the event, we hosted a roundtable discussion with 10 employers, Essex County Council (ECC), Essex Provider Network (EPN), and Federation of Essex Colleges (FEDEC) to discuss proposed changes to legislation and their local impact. Notably, the defunding of Level 7 qualifications will significantly affect the NHS, as we are the first in the county to deliver the Level 7 medical doctor program. Mel Collins from Shadow Skills England attended and gathered notes for central feedback.