Telford College deputy chief executive Janet Stephens spoke about the ‘really exciting’ plans for a new learning base in the town’s Station Quarter when she took part in a business panel discussion.

The Skills Support Showcase, held at the New Bucks Head stadium in Wellington, brought together a wide range of businesspeople to discuss issues around recruitment, skills and training.

Janet was part of a panel discussion which also included Louise Harding from Telford & Wrekin Council, Parmjit Chima of Harper Adams University, and Andy Smith of Smash Life.

The college is one of the partners involved in the new Telford Station Quarter, where a digital skills training centre is currently being built.

Janet said: “This is a really exciting collaboration between education and employers.

“It’s all about creating a flexible curriculum to meet the needs of business, and finding different ways for them to upskill or reskill their staff.

“The sooner that we can engage with young people – at the earliest possible age – gives us the best chance to inspire them and help to get them on the right career path.”

The Skills Support Showcase event, organised by Telford & Wrekin Council, was part of the Thrive Telford business support programme, funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The council’s Invest Telford team highlighted its Skills for Growth programme which aims to help businesses with workforce development challenges, as well as updating employers on existing schemes available to support them.

Telford College’s employer engagement team was also on hand to provide advice and information about the growing range of courses and apprenticeships designed to help provide employers with the skilled staff they need to thrive and grow.

Pictured above: Janet Stephens speaking on the panel at the Skills For Growth event in Wellington