24 September 2025
Supporting young people was at the heart of this month’s Coventry Local Business Forum, where I joined local employers to discuss how we can better connect schools, universities, and businesses across our city and region.
The discussion focused on ensuring that young people understand the wide range of career opportunities available to them — not only those tied to the traditional curriculum, but across the many industries that power Coventry and Warwickshire’s economy. By building stronger partnerships between education and enterprise, we can help young people develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the workplace.
I was particularly impressed by the University of Warwick’s work to support local businesses, helping them to innovate and grow through collaboration, research, and skills development. The forum also provided a valuable opportunity to share updates on local investment projects and explore how employers and educators can work together to ensure no young person is left behind.
My thanks go to the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce for bringing together businesses of all sizes for such an engaging and forward-looking discussion. Their work continues to play an essential role in representing local employers, supporting skills and training, and strengthening our regional economy.
Conversations like these are vital to Coventry’s continued success — ensuring that every young person has access to opportunity, and every business has the talent and support it needs to grow.
