Fixing skills shortages, increasing diversity and AI in recruitment addressed at annual conference

Employers and educators came together to explore ways to boost recruitment, retain talent and explore opportunities to unlock growth at East Midlands Chamber's People and Skills Conference 2026 at Loughborough University on 16^th June.

Held in partnership with Loughborough University and West Nottinghamshire College, the conference was focused around policy asks on skills reform set out in East Midlands Chamber's landmark publication - the Framework for Growth.

Through a series of interactive workshops, talks and panel discussions, the conference covered a wide range of subjects such as the value of workplace agility; neuro-inclusivity; health coaching skills; compliance with the Employment Rights Act and the impact of the National Living Wage on businesses and growth.

East Midlands Chamber presented findings from its soon to be published annual report on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace, produced in partnership with emh Group.

East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore introduced speakers, chaired panel discussions and presented findings from the Chamber's joint research on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), produced in partnership with Chamber strategic partner emh Group. Speaking afterwards, he said: "East Midlands unemployment stands far too high at 5.5%, while six out of ten firms reported in our latest Quarterly Economic Survey that they have struggled to find suitable candidates to fill roles. Nationally, the number of 18-24's classified as NEET - Not in Education, Employment or Training - has topped a million. These are numbers that need addressing without delay.

"To unlock growth in the East Midlands, we need skilled people in roles. That's what this conference was about and why it is vital to be having these discussions with employers, trainers and educators.

"The six out of ten figure on challenges employers have faced filling vacancies with suitable candidates has been persistent in our survey data across every quarter for the last year. That means employers have tried to fill a position but not found skills that match what they need - we have to fix that.

"Skills shortages are not going away and that's why our Framework for Growth - the landmark publication we released last year - called on policymakers for targeted skills reform, flexible skills funds for SMEs and microbusinesses and to align funding with the ways employers plan ahead.

"With AI, rapidly evolving technology and employers navigating new challenges all the time - whether the Employment Rights Act, business rates, inflation or higher energy bills - it is essential to get as many stakeholders as we can in the same room. In the East Midlands we're fortunate to have innovative businesses, universities, FE colleges and training opportunities - bringing those together is the best way forward when addressing people and skills. I would like to extend my thanks to our partners West Nottinghamshire College and Loughborough University for making this conference as valuable as it has been."

Loughborough University Professor in Work Psychology Prof Eva Selenko gave a talk on opportunities and risks presented by AI in employment. Afterwards she said: "We have all come together at this conference - educators and business - to learn from each other and to provide support for each other. I see the role of universities as providing the academic expertise but also training to students.

"We have two roles to play here - on the one hand, offering knowledge and on the other, training the future workforce. We've heard in discussions at the conference of the extent of the skills shortage. These are areas where we can help. From conferences like this, we build collaborations, we learn from each other and can create research opportunities, opportunities for future placements for our students and further this exchange. The People and Skills conference has been a fantastic forum."

West Nottinghamshire College Assistant Principal Nikki Slack gave a talk on unlocking talent pipelines and exploring the T Levels, V Levels and levy changes. Speaking afterwards she said: "It's good to share what's happening in the employment sector and for educators to share what's happening.

"The first step, in addressing skills shortages in workplaces, is that employers need to engage with local education, whether that be colleges or universities. That really opens opportunities. We have got a young workforce that really need to get out there. There are positions available, at minimal cost or no cost at all to employers. It's about changing the view of employers as well. We need to look at being proactive rather than reactive.

"What employers should be doing is investing in people from education at all levels so that they are succession planning and building their own talent pipeline through that. We've seen some great success stories of when people go into an organisation and work there one day a week or a block week and then end up having a position in that company - that's cost that company nothing other than a little bit of investment when being there on site with them.

"We've got the next generation of young people coming through our education system now. There are a lot of students that can be placed with local employers that will give that employer added workforce for one thing, but also students have different skills now. They're more innovative, they know how to use social media and know how to use digital platforms. Those skills can really help a business succeed."

emh Group Executive Director of People and Strategy Joanne Tilley took part in a panel discussion on how EDI is shaping skills investment in the East Midlands, referring to emh Group's work with East Midlands Chamber on producing its annual report on EDI adoption in the region. Speaking afterwards she said: "Now four years on from when we started EDI research with East Midlands Chamber, you can really see a direction of travel. It shows that persistence and being true to your values and trying to promote change across the region really has an impact.

"EDI is more on the agenda now than it's ever been. One of the key things for us, because we run a care business as well as housing, is staff potential - making sure that colleagues, once they join us, stay with us, so there is no disruption of service to our service users.

"Getting people, keeping them and making sure they know they've got a career path is important - they'll only do that if your values and their values resonate and if they feel they can bring their whole self to work. The messaging we get from our customers is that EDI is about making sure people can thrive in an organisation and want to stay.

"If the region is diverse and there's a sense of inclusion, then everything feels better for everybody and businesses will thrive."

Digital Planning Co-founder and Director James Ferraby gave a talk on how to build a culture that embraces AI. Speaking afterwards he said: "My message to any business unsure of their first or next steps on their AI journey is to stop, look at where you think AI is going to be most effective. If you can't identify where that is, get a partner in and get them to help you identify where the quick wins are to build momentum and buy-in from your team. Allow them to ideate because your business is going to be the domain experts. What they need is a tool set and a framework to say 'wow, wouldn't it be great if AI could do this?'

"At that point, you can speak to a partner, like us, that can take those ideas and make sure they're safe, they're compliant and they can scale to support your business."

Howes Percival Partner Nick Benton gave a talk on the Employment Rights Act and how to ensure compliance without compromising growth. Speaking afterwards he said:"Businesses have gone a long way in preparing for the Employment Rights Act but there is still more work to do. They need to focus on really getting to grips with the legislation when we get more clarity in terms of secondary legislation and guidance. Thereafter it's going to be focusing on implementing workplace policies to adapt and comply with those legislations.

"When we get clarification from Government on that secondary legislation and guidance my advice is to jump on that as soon as it comes out. Plan early and plan well."

Speakers & Panelists at the 2026 East Midlands People and Skills Conference:

• Dr Cham Kang - President, East Midlands Chamber

• Richard Blackmore - Director of Policy and Insight, East Midlands Chamber

• Prof Eva Selenko - Professor in Work Psychology, Loughborough University

• Sam Grogan - Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education and Student Experience, Loughborough University

• Nikki Slack - Assistant Principal, West Nottinghamshire College

• Joanne Tilley - Executive Director of People and Strategy, emh Group

• James Ferraby - Co-founder and Director, Digital Planning

• Nick Benton - Partner, Howes Percival

• Theresa Salisbury - Midlands Prisons Employment Lead, New Futures Network

• Maxwell Read - Senior Researcher, Centre for Cities

• Marilla Bianco - Director and Founder, Work 'n' Diversity CIC

• Si Beales - Founder and Learning Director, Sidedoor Studio

• Dr Ollie Hart - Managing Director, Peak Health Coaching

• Dr Elizabeth Hozario - Coach and Trainer, The Caregiving Journey CIC

• Pino de Rosa - Founder and Managing Director, Bridgeway Consulting

• Jamie Booth - Director of Communications, The Job Foundation

• Susan Boon - Work Opportunities and Partnerships, Careers Network, Loughborough University

• Cheryl Travers - Reader in Organisational Psychology, Loughborough University