Future Talent Leeds conversation extended for extra week

The citywide conversation to help identify skills needed now and for the future of the Leeds economy has been extended by a week.

Now running until 9am on Wednesday 6 October, the first phase of the ‘Future Talent Leeds’ conversation is open for anyone over 16 to give their views along with all businesses, organisations, sectors and industries in the city.

With more than 300 people already having joined the online discussion at https://futuretalentleeds.org and making almost 500 contributions, organiser Leeds City Council has extended the deadline by a week to allow the conversation to continue and give more people the chance to help shape the Future Talent Plan for Leeds. As well as the online version of the discussion, paper copies are also available in all council-managed libraries and one-stop shops.

The council is moving to update its talent plan in response to dramatic changes to the jobs, skills and business landscape in the city following changes to national government policy, extra devolved powers plus the impacts of Brexit and Covid-19 in recent years.

The new plan aims to be influenced, created, and owned by the city and be adaptable and resilient to thrive in the face of change and support people and businesses. Its focus is on collaboratively addressing issues such as unemployment, inclusion and diversity, digital skills and climate change whilst also ensuring support and skills are in place as the city emerges from Covid-19.

The conversation, talent plan and its importance has also been discussed in the latest edition of the Leeds in Conversation podcast, which can be heard on all major audio platforms and via the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy at Podcast – Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy (leedsgrowthstrategy.co.uk).

Deputy Leader and executive member for economy, culture and education of Leeds City Council Councillor Jonathan Pryor said:

“Thanks to everyone who has joined the Future Talent Leeds conversation so far, we have had lots of really interesting views and ideas put forward which is why we want to keep it going for another week. We want to hear from as many people and organisations as we can before this first phase ends, so it would be great to see lots more people join the discussion in these final few days.”

The conversation encourages views from individuals and from all industries and organisations including education and skills providers, public sector employees and the third sector.

Following the end of the first phase, all the responses will be analysed to shape a second phase of dialogue starting in November, with the final findings and recommendations to be presented to Leeds City Council’s executive board in a report published early in the new year.

For more information and to take part in the conversation, visit https://futuretalentleeds.org.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Roger Boyde

Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

Email: roger.boyde@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 9164