Businesses invited to secure future talent at Derby’s Employer Summit 2026

Employers across Derby and the surrounding area are being invited to attend Derby City Council’s Employer Summit 2026, a free event designed to help businesses tackle recruitment challenges, develop future talent and discover innovative workforce solutions.

Taking place on Friday 20 November 2026, the summit will bring together employers and industry experts, to explore practical approaches to workforce development and inclusive recruitment. The event, which is themed Rethink Recruitment to Secure Your Talent, will showcase employer-led success stories, funding opportunities and recruitment support available to businesses looking to grow their workforce and address skills shortages.

Businesses attending the event will gain insights into available grants and incentives, free recruitment support, inclusive hiring practices, apprenticeships, placements and workforce development programmes, while creating valuable connections with employers and support organisations from across the city.

This summit comes at a pivotal moment, with the final Milburn Review expected to be published. The Milburn Review is an independent review focused on improving opportunities for young people by helping more of them move into education, training and employment.

As national attention focuses on how we better support young people to participate in education, employment and training, this event will help employers understand the role they can play in creating inclusive opportunities and building a stronger future workforce.

The summit will feature keynote addresses from Baggy Shanker MP, Member of Parliament for Derby South and founder of the Derby Promise initiative, and Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Youth Employment UK.

Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE said:

“I am delighted to be joining Derby City’s Employer Summit as keynote speaker. Employers play a vital role in shaping the future workforce and are making a real difference to the lives of young people by providing opportunities, developing talent, and building confidence and skills.

This event is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate employer-led success, share effective practice, and encourage more businesses to get involved in creating pathways to employment. Together, we can build a more inclusive labour market where every young person has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.”

Councillor Baggy Shanker, the Labour (Co-op) MP for Derby South, said:

“Supporting young people into employment strengthens our communities, our economy and our future workforce. I welcome this summit, which will help employers understand the many ways they can recruit inclusively and access talented young people from all backgrounds. By working together, we can create more opportunities, help businesses thrive, and support the continued growth of our local economy.”

Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills, said:

“Derby’s employers play a vital role in creating opportunities, developing skills and helping our local economy to grow. The Employer Summit is a chance to celebrate the fantastic work already taking place across the city, while bringing businesses together to share ideas, explore new approaches to recruitment and learn about the support available.

By working together, we can help more residents access rewarding careers and ensure businesses have the talent they need to succeed both now and in the future.”

During the summit, attendees will be able to choose from four interactive workshops focusing on building future workforces through the Journey to Work programme, unlocking new talent pools through inclusive recruitment, reducing recruitment costs through funding and incentives, and maximising the value of apprenticeships.

Employers will also hear examples from organisations including Leonardo Hotels, Rolls-Royce, East Midlands Railway and E.ON on how innovative recruitment and skills development programmes are delivering results.

The summit is free to attend, although places are limited. Employers can register their place through Eventbrite. For more information about employer support and workforce development opportunities, visit Derby City Council’s Employment and Skills services webpage.