Local manufacturing and engineering businesses will hear expert tips on closing the skills gap at the next meeting of METALL, the forum for manufacturing, engineering and technology businesses.

The breakfast event takes place on Tuesday 21 April at the Sussex and Surrey Institute of Technology at Crawley College. The practical presentations will be of particular interest for those businesses facing their most capable staff approaching retirement, new recruits arriving without the technical and practical skills their business needs, staff that are irreplaceable in the current market, or issues retaining and developing their best people.

Speakers Jeff Hughes, Engineering Manager of Welland Medical and Zoe Robson, Head of People at Ceres Power will share how they addressed workforce priorities within their businesses, with support from Crawley College and the Sussex and Surrey Institute of Technology (IoT). Dean Wynter (Vice Principal at Crawley College & SSIoT) will outline how businesses can access funding, tailored training, and qualifications like T Levels, HNCs, and HNDs to upskill staff.

Tony Summers, Partner and Head of Manufacturing at Carpenter Box commented:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for manufacturing businesses to explore one of the sector’s most pressing challenges – building and retaining a skilled workforce. With practical insight from industry peers and guidance from the Institute of Technology, attendees will gain clear, actionable ways to access training, funding and development pathways to support future growth.”

The event will end with an open Q&A, followed by attendees having the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art IoT facility on the Crawley College campus. Registration for this free event is at https://www.metall.org.uk/events/

The event is sponsored by: Carpenter Box, NatWest and DMH Stallard LLP.