Apply to speak at Co.nextalks – a TED-style event for bold voices under 35. Inspire change in 10 mins. Deadline: July 26
Do you have a story that can shift perspectives or inspire action?
We’re searching for 8 dynamic speakers for Co.nextalks, a TED-style event designed to energise and empower people under 35. It’s your chance to take the stage, share your story, and connect with a curious and motivated audience.
Each talk is just 10 minutes — but the impact could last much longer. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, student, educator, or changemaker, your voice matters.
You might speak on themes such as:
Disrupting the Status Quo – While challenging systems and questioning norms
Confidence to Lead – By speaking up, taking the lead, and shaping change
Bold Ideas, Big Impact – Because small actions often spark powerful change
Redefining Success – As we rethink what success truly means
Innovate & Elevate – Through creative thinking and fresh ideas
Beyond Boundaries – When stepping outside your comfort zone pays off
Limitless Possibilities – So you can inspire others to break their own limits
The Future is Collaborative – As we achieve more together
📍 Event date: October 23 🕐 Deadline to apply: July 26 🔗 Apply now
Don’t wait — your perspective could be the one that changes everything.
👉 Apply now. Share your voice. Shape what’s next..
We recently hosted a brilliant session exploring how individuals with ADHD can embrace their unique strengths, work with their brains (not against them), and unlock their full potential in life and business. Led by Ian Hacon from Energise.me, this session was packed with practical advice, relatable insights, and real strategies that resonated deeply with our audience.
ADHD Looks Different for Everyone
Whether you’re inattentive, impulsive, hyperactive, or a combination of all three, understanding how ADHD shows up for you is the first step. This self-awareness allows you to better manage your day-to-day experience and create systems that actually work for your brain.
Managing Energy Highs and Lows
ADHD isn’t a constant — it’s a rollercoaster. Some moments are bursting with focus and creativity, while others feel like you’re stuck in the fog. Ian introduced energy mapping and hacks to honour your natural rhythms. One highlight? The “ADHD Eisenhower Box” — a game-changer for tackling urgent vs. important tasks without overwhelm.
Outsmarting ADHD Sabotage
We talked about common ADHD pitfalls like time blindness and task paralysis — and how to avoid them. Techniques like chunking, hacking your start button, and prioritising using urgency-friendly methods can help you move from stuck to unstoppable.
Health = Focus Fuel
Neglecting basics like exercise, sleep, hydration, and nutrition can seriously mimic or worsen ADHD symptoms. Just 30 minutes less sleep can impact your brain as much as being mildly drunk. From protein-packed snacks to walking meetings, the message was clear: your brain needs your body to be functioning if you want to perform at your best.
Your Neurodiversity Is Your Superpower
ADHD isn’t a limitation — it’s a difference. When managed well, it becomes a serious strength:
Hyperfocus = deep work mastery
Creativity = innovation and problem solving
Urgency-driven brains = calm leadership under pressure
Avoiding ADHD Burnout
Burnout can sneak up on neurodivergent minds. We explored five red flags — including hyperfocus hangovers and dopamine droughts — along with a toolkit for building resilience. Micro-recoveries, sensory resets, and even outsourcing your willpower with distraction-blocking apps were all encouraged.
Final Takeaway
“Your neurodiversity is your fingerprint — don’t try to erase it. Start building around it.”
This session wasn’t just about managing ADHD — it was about celebrating it, designing smarter systems, and finding your own path to success.
Ian Hacon, Founder of Energise.me is working towards a fuller ADHD programme to be launched early summer, and has limited capacity to take on personal coaching clients.
When you’re in your 20s or even early 30s, saving for retirement might feel like something far off your radar. Between navigating new careers, paying off student loans, and managing rent or mortgage payments, retirement can seem like a distant worry for “future you” to deal with. But when it comes to financial planning, one of the smartest moves you can make is to start contributing to your pension early, no matter how small the amount.
Here’s why paying into your pension at a young age is not just a good idea, but crucial to your long-term financial well-being.
Compound Growth
The earlier you start contributing to your pension, the more you can take advantage of compounding growth, which is essentially earning interest on your interest. Even small, consistent contributions early in your career will grow exponentially over time.
More Time Equals Less Stress
One of the key advantages of early pension contributions is that it spreads the financial burden over many years. Instead of scrambling to make large contributions later in life when expenses like mortgages or family commitments might peak, starting early allows you to contribute smaller amounts over a longer period. This gradual approach not only reduces financial stress but also makes your saving efforts more sustainable. As your career advances and your income grows, you can increase contributions with less strain.
Early pension contributions can save you stress later in life.
Employer Contributions
Many employers offer pension schemes that include a matching contribution, meaning they’ll match the amount you contribute up to a certain percentage of your salary. By not taking advantage of this when you’re young, you’re leaving free money on the table.
If you start early, you get more out of these employer contributions over the years. This can significantly boost your retirement fund without any additional effort on your part.
Flexibility Later in Life
Life is unpredictable, and having a well-funded pension means you won’t have to worry as much about financial security if unexpected changes happen in your career or personal life.
Contributing into your pension early will help you achieve your dream retirement.
Good Financial Habits
Starting a pension early in life also establishes good financial habits. Consistently setting aside money for retirement trains you to live within your means and prioritise saving. As your income grows, you’ll already be in the habit of saving, making it easier to increase your contributions and plan for other financial goals like homeownership, vacations, or investing.
The discipline of early pension contributions often spills over into other aspects of your financial life, helping you to become more conscious of budgeting, debt management, and long-term planning.
Even though retirement seems light-years away, think of contributing to your pension as a gift to your future self. Your older self will thank you!
How Can We Help?
Our retirement planning and pension review service is specifically designed to help you take charge of your own retirement plans. We will help you assess your current pension, if you have one, or multiple pensions and consolidate into one and advise on the next steps you should take based on your unique needs. Get in touch to find out more.
You can read this article and more like this from Bracnaster house here
Really think about what’s making you unhappy at work. This will help you shape your next steps.
Do you enjoy some parts of your job but not others?
Do you like your job but feel you need more to do?
Do you enjoy your job but feel ready for the next step? What does that look like for you—more responsibility, more technical work, or mentoring others?
Do you like your job but want/need to earn more?
In all these cases, your first step should be to speak to your boss. Prepare beforehand:
Identify what’s bothering you and explore your goals in depth.
Research other roles or duties within the company that align with your aspirations.
Think about how these changes would positively impact the business.
If you can show the value you add to the company, your chances of success increase significantly. Be realistic – companies often can’t implement changes overnight. Work towards an agreement with specific milestones and goals over time.
2. Assess Relationships with Your Boss, Team, or Company
If the issue lies with your boss, team, or company, ask yourself why. Understanding this will clarify what you’re looking for in your next role.
Knowing what you don’t want can be just as helpful as knowing what you do.
Consider how to articulate these feelings positively—no one wants to hear you bad-mouth your current workplace.
Try speaking to your boss about the challenges you’re facing.
Plan your points carefully to present them fairly and constructively.
If needed, write notes to organise your thoughts.
If you work in a larger organisation, you might explore transferring to a different team. Reach out to the hiring manager and explain your circumstances and motivations.
3. Understand If It’s a Job Misfit
If you don’t like your job at all, consider what aspects you dislike and what you’d enjoy doing instead. Identifying this might take effort, but it’s worth it.
Switching careers often requires significant changes, so be prepared:
Research your interests, motivations, and long-term goals.
Investigate new career paths: What training will you need? How can you acquire it? How long will it take?
You may need to stay in your current role temporarily to fund your transition.
In cases where transferable skills are lacking, you might have to start at a more junior level, potentially with lower pay. Plan accordingly.
4. Leverage the Power of Conversatio
Talking things through with someone can unlock answers. Reach out to:
A friend, mentor, trusted colleague, parent, boss, or career adviser.
Grab a coffee and chat—it’s often the first step to finding clarity.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re unhappy at work, try finding small positives in your day-to-day:
A customer you helped, a chat with a colleague, praise for a job well done, or even just the pay cheque at the end of the month.
Acknowledge the progress you’re making towards change.
Staying in a negative mindset can harm not only your mental health but also your relationships and reputation.
I hope this helps if you’re considering your career options. Happy job hunting—whatever that may look like for you!
When it comes to professional development, choosing your next career move, or enhancing your own personal branding on platforms such as LinkedIn, a lot can be said for authenticity and a willingness to learn.
My Journey in Recruitment & Career Conversations
Taking on a marketing role at Contract Personnel (a recruitment agency) over the past three years has enabled me to speak with people daily about their career options, development, and dreams.
I often speak to students and young professionals who are looking for their first break in their professional careers. Or I am asked for advice on:
How to gain experience
Where to make friendships
The best places to network
How to reach the right people
The Key to Success? A Willingness to Learn
My first piece of advice always tends to be around ‘a willingness to learn’. If you have this mindset, you will achieve success as you will show determination and hunger.
As a former journalist, telling stories and finding the best in people is something I did on a daily basis. To achieve your ambitions and fulfill your potential, a lot depends on how willing you are to learn new things, be a bit quirky, and showcase your talents.
A Career Built on Storytelling & People
Prior to working in recruitment, I have had marketing roles at: ✔ Marina Theatre ✔ Desira ✔ Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure
I have also covered large sporting events during my time at BBC Sport and completed complex investigative journalistic stories working at the EDP.
But something that underpins all of these roles is the person that I choose to be on a daily basis.
I love listening to people, hearing their stories, celebrating their successes, and showcasing them.
Shifting Into Events, Partnerships & Networking
Over the past 12 months, I have grown more into an events, partnerships, and business development role, which has allowed me to: ✔ Regularly attend networking events ✔ Host some of my own
In my opinion, there is nothing more powerful than meeting people and finding out more about them.
At the end of the day:
People buy from people
We learn from each other
We can recommend and support one another
Standing Out in a Scrolling Culture
My key tip over the past six months has been around video content, especially on LinkedIn.
At a recent careers fair at UEA, my key advice was: 1️⃣ Research companies in the sector you are interested in 2️⃣ Start connecting with people who work there on LinkedIn 3️⃣ Show a willingness to learn – record a little video about yourself and your experiences
If you have no professional work experience, say that. It is not a negative. Instead, explain all of your other interests and skills that make you a suitable candidate.
Someone who puts themselves out there and wants to learn will shine brighter than everyone else.
Creative Ways to Gain Experience & Get Noticed
✔ Offer to come in and shadow or learn from someone in a company – this can be a great way to gain hands-on experience ✔ Meet fellow professionals and learn from one another – career growth happens in communities ✔ Research available opportunities and connect with relevant people – relationships matter
Sometimes, stepping outside your comfort zone can be one of the hardest things to do.
Whenever I do a talk at a networking event, I now try to make it:
Entertaining
Filled with a few jokes and one-liners
People now come up to me and ask when my next comedy routine will be taking place—not that the jokes are any good, mind!
But this is because I have tried to be memorable, and hopefully, people see the real me—a genuine, fun person who brings something a little different to professional events.
At the end of the day, it is important to smile and have a laugh sometimes.
Your CV is Your Story—Tell it Well
One of the hardest things on a CV, in my opinion, is the personal statement. It is never easy to talk about yourself. But you should see this as an opportunity to showcase yourself and the type of person you are.
Recruitment = Matchmaking & Finding Inspiration
Recruitment can be a bit like match-making: ✔ Finding the best in a person ✔ Matching their skills to the most appropriate job role
But for me, it is about being inspired and enjoying the work that you are taking on.
It is crucial to have aspirations and dreams to try and achieve.
Pushing Myself in 2025
I have taken on a number of running challenges in 2025 – including a 5K run every day in January for charity.
Why? Because I am ambitious and want to challenge myself to achieve something I didn’t think I could do.
This Applies to Your Career Too
This motto can be related to all types of professional situations: ✔ Attend a new networking event ✔ Record a video for LinkedIn ✔ Write something new for your personal statement ✔ Offer to volunteer your services
By having an ambition and putting yourself out there, you will hopefully reap the rewards.
Let’s Connect Over Coffee ☕
I am really keen to meet people for a coffee (my treat!).
Recently, catching up with like-minded professionals and offering advice has been really rewarding for me.
Or, even if I can: ✔ Link someone up with a key contact ✔ Help with CV writing ✔ Assist with what to say or how to record a video
I will try my best to help.
Ultimately, we should all be smiling and helping one another.
Let’s Make Norfolk a Thriving Place for Collaboration
As part of our young professional programme, Co.next, we launched a Mentor Monday series in 2022 offering 1-hour free mentoring sessions with business leaders. But what is mentoring and how can it benefit young professionals?
A mentor is someone who shares their knowledge and experience to help someone grow and develop as well as providing support and guidance. Mentors can help you identify and set specific goals tailored to your career aspirations and life goals. Not only does a mentor help to motivate you about your career, but they can also help you manage job expectations through the experience of their own career.
A mentor can help you work to your best potential, giving you the confidence you need to progress in your chosen career by developing your strengths and identifying weaknesses that you can work on. In addition to this, having a mentor may help improve your wellbeing, by setting out clear career goals and working through potential obstacles giving you a sense of focus and achievement.
How can mentoring benefit young professionals?
A lot of young professionals who are interested in developing their careers seek mentorship. In a post COVID-19 world, career paths have changed, diverted, or completely changed and mentorship has become even more important and beneficial than before. Mentoring goes beyond education and works closely with the mentee to provide long-term goals and steps on how to get there. Speaking from experience, the mentor can give examples of how they started and how they climbed the career ladder to where they are today. Mentors can provide accountability to ensure that goals are being met and mentees are working towards their ultimate long-term goal.
After the huge success of our Mentor Monday programme we are pleased to bring this offering back to those under 35 for 2025. Norfolk is full of talented businessmen and women and they’re able to offer a wide range of knowledge and experience during our sessions.
As part of our young professional programme, Co.next, we launched a Mentor Monday series in 2022 offering 1-hour free mentoring sessions with business leaders. But what is mentoring and how can it benefit young professionals?
A mentor is someone who shares their knowledge and experience to help someone grow and develop as well as providing support and guidance. Mentors can help you identify and set specific goals tailored to your career aspirations and life goals. Not only does a mentor help to motivate you about your career, but they can also help you manage job expectations through the experience of their own career.
A mentor can help you work to your best potential, giving you the confidence you need to progress in your chosen career by developing your strengths and identifying weaknesses that you can work on. In addition to this, having a mentor may help improve your wellbeing, by setting out clear career goals and working through potential obstacles giving you a sense of focus and achievement.
How can mentoring benefit young professionals?
A lot of young professionals who are interested in developing their careers seek mentorship. In a post COVID-19 world, career paths have changed, diverted, or completely changed and mentorship has become even more important and beneficial than before. Mentoring goes beyond education and works closely with the mentee to provide long-term goals and steps on how to get there. Speaking from experience, the mentor can give examples of how they started and how they climbed the career ladder to where they are today. Mentors can provide accountability to ensure that goals are being met and mentees are working towards their ultimate long-term goal.
After the huge success of our Mentor Monday programme we are pleased to bring this offering back to those under 35 for 2025. Norfolk is full of talented businessmen and women and they’re able to offer a wide range of knowledge and experience during our sessions.
Married and Divorced by 26, bought a house he didn’t want, stayed in a job that didn’t make him happy. All mistakes that James has made. James thought life was a box ticking exercise. James wanted to do as much as he could as quickly as he could, without learning from his mistakes.
James learnt to not dwell on the past, not to blame himself or others and to learn from his mistakes. Through a ‘Cygnot’ process, caring for his team and a no blame culture, James grew his business and improved his and the lives of others around him. James is Managing Director of Award-Winning Energy Consultant Indigo Swan. James is an inspirational leader and his caring approach to his staff (the swans) is felt by all that meet him. Whilst caring for his staff he will also look to challenge them in order to develop them and help them be the best possible versions of themselves.
James played a key part in growing Indigo Swan and creating the happiness first culture that Indigo Swan is so proud of. What’s the biggest mistake you have made? James has made a few. Learning from these, James has grown as a person, implemented the ‘Cygnot’ process at Indigo Swan and changed an ordinary life into an extraordinary one.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
When it comes to creating or updating your CV, it can be quite overwhelming to consider a short document that is ultimately showcasing yourself!
But at Contract Personnel, our team of recruitment experts are here to help you!
We caught up with our Permanent Recruiters in our Thetford office, Gemma Ellis and Louis Brabin, to find out what it takes to create the ultimate CV.
When it comes to applying for a job, your CV could be the difference between securing an interview or narrowly missing out.
Its important to list your personal and contact information, including name and address. You can then use the next section to introduce yourself.
Your CV should also include your education and qualifications, work history/experience, relevant skills related to the job in question, any further achievements and then some references.
When asked for his top tips for creating and presenting a CV, Louis Brabin said – “Add job titles followed by five bullet points max on each. Ensure your CV can be flexible and change it for the different roles you are applying for. Also, highlight key areas/expertise and qualifications that are relevant to the vacancy you are applying for.”
Presentation is also key to a successful CV.
As Gemma Ellis explains, “make sure that your CV is laid out in a professional format so clients can read and digest with ease.”
The layout should be clean and well structured and check all spellings and grammar with a friend/family member. The CV hotspot tends to be in the upper middle area of the page – so be sure to include some important information there. Keep the CV to no more than two pages.
In addition, a recommended trait is to tailor your CV to the relevant job description and role you are applying for and to ensure you keep it up to date.
Be sure to follow us on our social media pages and visit our website for top career tips.
Here you are, it’s your first day in your brand new job and you are super keen to impress! Who wouldn’t be? But, believe it or not some people make the mistake of thinking all the hard work is done now that they have bagged the job. When really it’s when the real work begins.
On your first day/weeks your attitude and work ethic are the main things people will see, as no one has had a chance to evaluate your work skills just yet… you want to make the RIGHT impression.
Here is a quick round up of things you could do to make sure you are on the right road:
RELAX the night before, get plenty of rest so you are ready for the first day full of beans!
Choose the right clothing, if in doubt of what to wear always go more conservative, as you can relax your dress code once you see what everyone else is wearing.
Show up early, don’t be that late person on your first day. Get there at least 15 minutes before.
Smile. Simple but very effective, you will be meeting lots of people and shaking lots of hands. Your co-workers will remember a smiley/approachable colleague rather than a glum one.
Pay attention to your body language, think about how others could perceive you.
Give 100% attention, turn off your phone, do not find a dark corner to sit down in, project energy and general interest.
Prepare an elevator pitch, get ready to give a 30-second explainer of who you are and where you were before, as no doubt lots of people will ask!
Figure out the social landscape, associate with the right crowd, get to grips with the office politics.
Don’t try too hard, be yourself as much as you can. By doing this you will naturally be more open and approachable.
Say YES if you are asked out to lunch! This is an excellent opportunity to mingle with your new team.
Kindness and mental wellbeing are deeply connected. Being kind to others gives us the feel-good factor that helps to keeps things in perspective, boost our self-esteem and keep us connected with our community.
AND finally listen & observe….. The best thing anyone can do in the first few days of a new job is listen, listen, listen. It’s your chance to grasp the bigger picture which will help you progress as time goes on!
Nova Fairbank, Chief Executive | Norfolk Chambers of Commerce
“We are so pleased to welcome such an experienced and knowledgeable group of business and education leaders to our LSIP Board. The LSIP is a fantastic opportunity to bring employers and providers closer together and, through greater collaboration, make a difference to the local skills agenda for Norfolk and Suffolk.”
John Dugmore, Chief Executive | Suffolk Chambers of Commerce
“Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has been involved in shaping the LSIP programme for nearly two years, so this first Norfolk & Suffolk LSIP board meeting represents an important milestone in embedding the business voice into future skills planning cross the two counties.”
Dean Pierpoint, Project Manager | Norfolk Chambers of Commerce
“After many weeks of planning and discussion it was great to get the first Board meeting in the diary. I am sure with the breadth of knowledge on skills from education providers and public sector organisations as well as input from the business community we will be able to shape the local skills improvement plan to have a positive effect on the skills landscape in the region. The team are now looking forward to engaging with the business community for their views on skills!”
Reacting to the latest ONS Labour Market figures, Nova Fairbank, Chief Executive at the Norfolk Chambers, said:
“Businesses are crying out for people to fill job vacancies at all skill levels, and this must be the number one focus for government if it’s serious about Norfolk’s economic growth.
“There are still a huge number of vacancies, currently sitting at 1.134 million, and this is stopping firms in their tracks. It means they are struggling to meet the orders on their books, and it puts any plans for growth far out of reach.
“It is also ramping up pressure on wages, currently at the highest rates seen in the private sector outside of the pandemic. This has been identified by the Bank of England as a factor in its decisions to raise interest rates to tame inflation.
“Government plans to get the UK’s untapped labour force into employment are a step in the right direction, but we need to see more action in Norfolk to address the barriers that are holding people back.
“The Spring Budget represents a golden opportunity for the Chancellor to ease the pressure on family members who have been squeezed out of the labour market by childcare costs.
“Older workers need carefully tailored careers advice, job seeker support and rapid re-training opportunities to help bring their skills and experience back to the workforce.
“Businesses should play their part by adopting flexible working policies, wherever possible, and by supporting staff training needs.
“And crucially, Government should reform the Shortage Occupation List to help firms fill urgent job vacancies from outside the UK when they cannot recruit locally. The List should include jobs at all skills levels where there is clear evidence of a national shortage.”
Get Involved
The Quarterly Economic Survey 2023 Q1 is NOW OPEN.
Join our series of free LSIP events running Norfolk and Suffolk – BOOK YOUR PLACE TODAY
Skills challenges – chances are, you have felt them within your business. So, what is the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) doing to highlight the employer skills challenges across Norfolk and Suffolk?
Over the next few weeks, we’re hosting a series of free to attend events across Norfolk and Suffolk, for you to come and discuss keys areas of the LSIP programme.
The first LSIP Roadshow event was held on Wednesday 22nd February at the Maid’s Head Hotel in the heart of Norwich. This event sold out within two weeks, highlighting how important businesses feel the skills gap issue in Norfolk is.
We are working with the Department of Education (DfE) and our colleagues, the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce to engage with businesses that are demanding change within the skills provision. By talking to us, and sharing insights, we are better placed to highlight the skills gaps across Norfolk and Suffolk.
We are asking businesses who are looking to future proof their growth, to engage and collaborate with us – these frontline experiences form the catalyst that will develop the LSIP Plan.
“We must upskill and mobilise Norfolk.”
The morning event started with a welcome from Dean Pierpoint, LSIP Project Manager, and an opening address from Tom Humphries, Skills Policy Manager at Norfolk County Council.
Tom gave an outline of what a County Deal for Norfolk involves, saying, “We have to upskill and mobilise Norfolk.” This is the second attempt at a devolution deal – now under a different framework that puts rural communities on a standing of their own.
He explained the funding will boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards and importantly empower local leaders and communities, “The LSIP plays a really important role for Norfolk skills and is a significant opportunity for our county – get involved and get your voice heard.” He went on to say that the LSIP is ‘developing our system – it’s a dialogue with employers and is evidence of where we will be funding’.
“Communication in business is key, so use your voice to have an impact.”
Dean Pierpoint, LSIP Project Manager spoke on the issues affecting Norfolk and Suffolk businesses right now; “Change is afoot, our counties are facing a massive skills problem but we’re going to change the skills landscape for the Region”.
“However, we are here to identify the positives through collaboration and spreading the word.”
The business community has a voice to encourage greater collaboration between employers and training providers. When asked on ‘what can businesses do now?’, Dean went on to say, “Communication in business is key, so use your voice to have an impact!”
The final guest speaker was John Fowler, Senior Account Manager from Turning Factor, who spoke about the recruitment/retention dilemma that faces many businesses, citing 75% of people leaving a business will put it down to poor management and leadership.
Empowering and engaging your team is what should drive your company’s mission, it should be the catalyst to your business’s growth.
Questions raised.
Susan Falch-Lovesey, Stakeholder Manager, Business Development at Equinor asked on the research process and getting down to the granular data, ‘Are you looking at specific sectors for a bigger impact and the big wins?
Rob Panter, Managing Director at Canham Consulting talked on the lack of direct paths for people in Norfolk to train in Norfolk. ‘Young people must be trained outside of Norfolk; it’s exhausting for them and its expensive for businesses – they need to be trained here and trained properly.”
Sally Butcher, Managing Director at Realise Futures said, “Our company absolutely promotes everybody with disabilities, I’m concerned we’re going to see a lot of people left behind in skills”. She went on to say, “Qualifications aren’t always the route to progress, soft skills, communication and working in a team are vital skills to learn.”
Jonathan Cage, Managing Director at Create Consulting asked on the future of the programme, ‘Where does this sit in the future?’
Tom at Norfolk County Council responded with ‘A devolved Norfolk with autonomy should look very different from a Brussels decision.”
Gordon Simpson, Partner at Howes Percival LLP a Cornerstone Group employer said, “Young people are not work ready, we really need to tackle work experience – young people need that spark and enthusiasm”.
Angela Carpenter, Pathways 50+ and Account Manager for Futures for Business spoke on the problems within Norfolk and Suffolk seem to lie in working with schools and employers – “There is a particular mindset when it comes to grants and funding.”
All of the questions raised at the LSIP Roadshows will be taken into consideration when assessing the skills gaps in Norfolk and Suffolk – so we need to hear from businesses of all sizes and sectors. Thank you so much to all our guests for attending, and to the Maids Head Hotel for their hospitality.
If you like the sound of this event, and you want to hear more about LSIP why not come along to our upcoming LSIP events? The next event is on Wednesday 15th March at the Thomas Paine Hotel, Thetford. For a full list of all dates click here
Why should you get involved?
You want to increase the growth of your business.
You want your team to have the skills they need to be engaged, empowered, and moving forwards.
It’s vital to retain the talent within your business.
You want to attract the right people, for culture, for growth and for success.
We are engaging with businesses of all sizes, stakeholders, colleges, training providers and universities to enable a more responsive and collaborative approach to the development of the local workforce.
What happens next?
Over the coming months, we will be conducting Employer Engagement surveys, telephone interviews, opportunities for 1-2-1 discussions, focus groups and events.
Our LSIP Board is now in place to provide direction, oversight, and review of the development of an effective LSIP for the region, the first meeting took place yesterday, 17th January and was a huge success in steering the programme forward.
You can view the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce LSIP programme of events across Suffolk here
