Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing Watchtower Event

Agenda & Running Order

08:45 – 09:15     Registration & Refreshments (on arrival)

09:15 – 09:20     Welcome (including housekeeping) – Jaydee Davis, Operations Director, Community & Business Partners

09:20 – 09:35     Watchtower Overview & Introduction

Watchtower is a 2-year £1,000,000 initiative from Lancashire County Council to support the Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing (AEM) sector targeted at tackling some of the economic impacts of Covid-19 and stimulating growth and is delivered by;

• North West Aerospace Alliance – Kyle Hatchard, Support to innovate and diversify
• Community & Business Partners – Recruitment support; matching at risk or redundant skilled employees with suitable businesses that have recruitment needs

09:35 – 10.00     State of Skills Base in the Sector – Geoff Mason, Lancashire Local Skills Improvement Plan

An overview of the skills challenges within the sector and how employers can take a central role in directing local skills provisions

10:00 – 10:30     Hear from Lancashire businesses on how they have overcome their challenges.

• Addison Group
• Westinghouse
• Valentine Pietri – Women in STEM.  Why a career in engineering was the choice and how other businesses can attract the future workforce 

10:30 – 10:40     Break & Coffee

10:40 – 11:10     Recruitment and Retention for the Sector – Tailor Made Sourcing

How do I recruit? The steps you can take to address skills gaps and find the people you need, how to really write your job adverts and where to advertise to get the best candidates. You’ve recruited, now what? Steps you can take to onboard and retain your talent, focusing on retaining your existing skills base and reduce the risk of losing your talent to competitors.

11:10 – 11:30    Skills Bootcamp for Manufacturing – IN4.0 Group           

11:30 – 11:45     Q&A’s Session with Keynote Speakers and Watchtower Partners:

11:45 – 12:00     Way Forward and Close

12:00     Networking & Lunch Event Close – Community & Business Partners