Business in the Community - West Midlands 'Talent' Debate
Thursday 3rd July - 08.30 to 13.30
Advanced Technology Centre, Waterfront Business Park, Brierley Hill, West Midlands

As Chair of Business in the Community West Midlands, I am delighted to invite you to attend the West Midland's Regional Talent Debate. Talent Debates are taking place across the UK at the request of the Prime Minster, who has challenged members of Business in the Community to act with urgency to address the skills and talent shortages facing UK plc.

As you are well aware, Britain faces rising global competition as never before. If we are to ensure that we remain competitive and productive with a world-class workforce, it is clear that we have to find new ways of unlocking people's talent.  Business in the Community is working with the Government's Talent and Enterprise Taskforce to encourage debate, highlight constraints and support business in meeting their needs through unlocking talent.

In this region we are aware of our skills gaps and, whilst good progress is being made, there is still much to do to ensure we compete as regional economy.  Join us as we bring together senior politicians, senior representatives from business in the region, key individuals from education, to debate how best we can unlock the talents of both the current and future workforce.

The debate will include:

-          Active 'Talent Exchange'.  Sharing of good practice and forging relationships that can help you unlock required talent.  The debate will highlight three business solution examples, unlocking talent in Education, Employability and in the Workforce.

-          Brief on an innovative Talent Map that is being developed for business  This interactive web-based tool  will illustrate for business what they can do at all ages to unlock talent.

I hope you will be able to join us for this important morning event to hear more about the issues, share your views and examples of action, to help mobilise West Midlands business and unlock the talent in our people and communities.

Please RSVP by to Alison.Mooney@bitc.org.uk<mailto:Alison.Mooney@bitc.org.uk>, 0121 451 2227, by Thursday 19th June 2008.

Yours sincerely

Ben Reid
CEO, The Midcounties Co-operative Society; Chair of West Midlands Business in the Community

Business in the Community - mobilising business for good.

We inspire, engage, support and challenge companies on responsible business, working through four areas: Marketplace, Workplace, Environment and Community.  With more than 850 companies in membership, we represent 1 in 5 of the UK private sector workforce and convene a network of global partners.