Businesses, employers and skills partners from across Herefordshire will come together next month to look at one of the biggest questions facing the county: how do we make sure we have the skills and talent needed to support future growth?
The Herefordshire Skills Conference 2026, hosted by the Herefordshire Growth Hub, takes place at Plough Lane, Hereford, on Monday 5 October.
The conference comes at a time of significant change for businesses and the wider workforce.
Artificial intelligence and new technology are changing the way many organisations work. Employers are facing recruitment and retention challenges, while expectations around work continue to evolve. At the same time, Herefordshire is creating new opportunities for businesses to invest and grow.
Developments such as Skylon Park and the new Ross-on-Wye Enterprise Park are creating space for new and expanding businesses and could support thousands of jobs as the county’s economy grows.
The challenge is making sure people have the skills needed to take advantage of those opportunities.
That is why the conference is bringing together employers, education and skills organisations to look at what is happening now – and what needs to change.
The event will include keynote speaker Christine Armstrong, sessions on AI and digital technology, employer discussions and live polling.
There will also be four interactive Business Insight Zones, looking at:
• Health and wellbeing
• Workforce development planning
• AI for business growth
• Creating inclusive workplaces
The focus will be firmly on practical insight and real experiences from businesses.
What are employers finding difficult? What skills will they need in the next few years? How is technology changing the workplace? And what can businesses, education providers and other partners do together to respond?
The answers will help inform the development of Herefordshire’s Employment and Skills Strategy, ensuring future skills activity reflects the needs of the county’s employers and workforce.
The conference is part of a wider programme of work through the Herefordshire Growth Hub and its partners to support businesses to start, grow and innovate, while helping develop the skills and talent needed for a strong local economy.
With major employment and investment opportunities developing across the county, getting the skills picture right will be an important part of Herefordshire’s future economic growth.
Please register for your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/herefordshire-skills-conference-2026-tickets-1996612995216