Innovate UK Talent & Skills Connect – Annual Conference
Innovate UK is hosting its Talent & Skills Connect Annual Conference on 3 April 2025 in Manchester. This event builds on the insights gathered during the Partner Celebration Event in September 2025, in particular the recurring theme from those conversations; the need to attract more young people into careers in innovation, with a particular emphasis on ensuring equitable access to STEM opportunities.
About the event
There is widespread enthusiasm across innovative businesses to support young people and invest in future talent. However, businesses often encounter barriers when navigating the fragmented skills system and identifying the right initiatives to engage with. This challenge is set against the backdrop of the UK’s recent decline in the Global Innovation Index and concerns about the supply of STEM graduates as a key indicator of future innovation capability.
The conference will spotlight leading STEM initiatives aimed at 11-18-year-olds, promoting collaboration and coordination across organisations and government bodies. The goal is to enable all young people to access opportunities in innovation while ensuring innovative businesses can connect with the talent they need to thrive.
The day will conclude with reflections and Innovate UK’s commitment to the community.
Why attend?
The Talent & Skills Connect Annual Conference will provide a platform for key stakeholders to come together, exchange knowledge, and collectively work towards:
- Driving positive change and improvement through a collaborative community event.
- Emphasising the importance of developing a strong pipeline of STEM talent to sustain and grow the UK’s innovation capabilities.
- Raising awareness about the critical 11-18 age group and their role in shaping the future workforce.
- Sharing practical examples of successful STEM engagement initiatives and the impact on young people.
- Highlighting the challenges businesses face in engaging with the skills and education landscape.
- Improving familiarity with existing STEM initiatives and support businesses in navigating available opportunities.
- Building awareness of ongoing investments in initiatives aimed at inspiring the future innovation workforce.
- Exploring ways to foster greater collaboration between stakeholders and increase support from innovative businesses.
Who is this event for?
This event is open to all but there are limited spaces available, so please register for your place early.
Important note: Due to limited availability, we will be approving registrations manually for this event. Should your application be successful, you will receive a confirmation email from us with further details.
Together we can ensure that young people across the UK are inspired and equipped to drive the innovation of the future. Register to secure your place now.
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