Employment and skills expert to speak at Chamber report launch

An expert in employment and skills has been confirmed as the first guest speaker for Greater Bimingham Chambers of Commerce’s forthcoming Quarterly Business Report launch event.

Mahfia Watkinson (pictured), policy manager (Insights) Employment, Skills, Health and Communities Directorate at the West Midlands Combined Authority, will speak at the Q1 event on 29 April.

The event at Birmingham City University will focus on the theme of bridging the skills gap in Greater Birmingham.

Mahfia works in the Insights & Intelligence Team, managing its policy function, working with senior leaders and regional partners in an evidence-led model of policy design, implementation and evaluation.

The team specialises in post-16 education policy, regulation and academic quality, with substantial experience from FE, HE and Government spanning nearly two decades.

Mahfia’s current projects include delivering on the West Midland’s mayor’s flagship Youth Employment Plan, increasing access to better employment – particularly among underserved communities and developing a higher level skills response that will support access to moreL 4 and 5 qualifications as part of the Plan for Growth.

As the GBCC’s flagship economic publication, the Quarterly Business Report is the most comprehensive regular report of its kind in the city-region.

Underpinning the report is data gathered from quarterly surveys completed by businesses from across the Greater Birmingham area.

The Quarterly Business Report event is delivered in partnership with Chamber patron Birmingham City University.

Delegates will have the opportunity to receive a copy of the report and watch a detailed presentation of the results and wider trends, followed by keynote talks skills, featuring Mahfia’s presentation about what the West Midlands Combined Authority is doing to support skills development in the region.

A second keynote speaker will be confirmed shortly.

Click here to book on to the free event.