The Herefordshire Skills Conference 2026, hosted by the Herefordshire Growth Hub at Plough Lane, brought together employers, business representatives, education providers and skills partners to explore the challenges and opportunities facing the county’s workforce.

The event attracted 102 delegates, exceeding its anticipated attendance of 90, with 99 people taking part in live polling and interactive discussions throughout the day.

The conference explored a range of issues affecting local employers, including the impact of artificial intelligence and new technology, workforce planning, recruitment and retention, leadership and creating more inclusive workplaces.

A keynote session from Christine Armstrong, panel discussions and interactive Business Insight Zones encouraged delegates to share their experiences, discuss common challenges and identify opportunities for future collaboration.

Initial feedback and emerging themes from the conference include:

• Strong employer engagement: 99 of the 102 delegates took part in live polling, demonstrating a willingness to contribute to discussions about future workforce needs.
• Value of collaboration: Discussions highlighted the importance of bringing businesses together to share experiences, explore common challenges and identify opportunities to work together.
• Practical workforce planning: Delegates engaged with topics including recruitment, workforce development, leadership and preparing for changing skills requirements.
• Technology and innovation: Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies featured prominently in discussions about how businesses can adapt and prepare for the future.
• Continued engagement: The conference reinforced the value of ongoing conversations with employers, with further workshops and support activities planned through to September 2027.

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, Councillor Graham Biggs, said:

“I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to attend the conference and contribute so positively to the discussions.

“It was encouraging to see so many businesses and partners coming together, sharing their experiences and offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing Herefordshire’s workforce.

“What we’ve learned will help us work more closely with employers and education providers to develop the skills our businesses need, both now and in the future.

“Ultimately, this is about supporting business growth, creating more opportunities for local people and helping to deliver more skilled, better-paid jobs across Herefordshire.”

The conference also marked the beginning of a wider programme of engagement and support for local employers.

A series of workshops and activities is being developed through to September 2027, focusing on areas including workforce planning, leadership development and the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.

The council and its partners will use the findings from the conference, including live polling results and feedback from the Business Insight Zones, to identify priorities and develop practical support that responds to the needs of local businesses.

The work forms part of Herefordshire Council’s wider commitment to supporting economic growth, attracting investment and ensuring local people have the skills needed to benefit from new employment opportunities.

Businesses interested in finding out more about future skills and workforce development opportunities can contact the Herefordshire Growth Hub.