Business leaders, educators and policymakers came together at ARU Peterborough on Friday 26 September for the 2025 Skills Summit, hosted by Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce in partnership with the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority.
The event placed employers at the heart of the skills conversation, highlighting how businesses are working alongside education and training providers to develop talent pipelines and ensure the region is ready for future growth.
This year’s Summit came as new figures revealed that the proportion of 16–17 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEET) in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has reached its highest level since records began: 3.9% compared to a national average of 3.4%. In Peterborough, the rate is 5.4%, among the highest in England.
Charlotte Horobin, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, said:
“One in seven young people in our region are not in education, employment or training, a figure that underlines the scale of the challenge we face. But there is also great work going on, and the Skills Summit demonstrated how strongly employers want to lead the way. One of the Chamber’s greatest strengths is convening people, and this event showed the power of collaboration in action. By uniting employers, educators and policymakers we can turn our skills challenges into opportunities, support business growth, and make sure people across our region have the skills they need to succeed.”
Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Paul Bristow also delivered a keynote address and Q&A, underlining the importance of investing in young people, jobs and skills.
He said: “Growth is good – and that’s why I’m investing in skills.”
Employer-led panels
Two lively panel discussions placed employers centre stage.
The first, From Intent to Impact, chaired by Steve Thompson of Form the Future, featured contributions from Coperion (Baker Perkins), Paragraf, Breheny Civil Engineering and Cambridge University Health Partners. Speakers shared how businesses are finding new ways to attract and retain talent in competitive markets. Apprenticeships and internships were highlighted as essential, not just for entry-level recruitment but as part of lifelong career development. There was agreement that creative recruitment cannot sit only with HR teams — success comes when the whole organisation is engaged in supporting and mentoring the next generation. As one panellist put it, “it takes a village to build a strong and sustainable workforce.”
The second, From Projects to People, was chaired by Dr Mel Collins, Head of Regions (South), Skills England. Employers including East West Rail, Sizewell C, Anglian Water and Constructed Pathways (representing Urban & Civic) discussed the broad range of skills needed to deliver major infrastructure projects. Technical expertise is critical, but so too are communication, teamwork and leadership. Speakers also emphasised the importance of building diverse and inclusive teams that reflect the communities they serve. They noted that projects on this scale can leave a lasting legacy — creating pathways into employment and opening up opportunities for young people long after construction is complete.
Dr Mel Collins said:
“It was fantastic to hear so many voices share their experiences and ideas. Events like this help ensure our Local Skills Improvement Plans are grounded in real business needs and shaped by genuine collaboration across sectors, with a strong focus on place-based working so solutions meet the unique needs of our local communities.”
Looking ahead
The Summit closed with a fireside conversation between Charlotte Horobin and Andrea Wood MBE, Assistant Director of Skills and Employment at the Combined Authority, who reflected on the role of initiatives such as the Connect to Work Plan and skills bootcamps in supporting both employers and individuals.
Andrea Wood said:
“Skills have to be at the heart of growth and greater productivity. Today’s event brought together employers, education and training providers to focus on those priorities, and it’s been fantastic to see the commitment to working together.”
The 2025 Skills Summit demonstrated the collective ambition across the region to tackle skills gaps, support growth and create opportunities for people and businesses alike. The Chamber and Combined Authority will continue working with employers and partners to ensure momentum is maintained in the months ahead.