19/06/2026
What an incredible day at the WCG Warwickshire Employer & Stakeholder Conference! We were thrilled to welcome over 160 guests to our beautiful Moreton Morrell College campus to tackle one of the most critical topics facing our region today: Securing the Future Workforce.
The energy in the room was electric, packed with insightful discussions, forward-thinking strategies, and powerful collaborations. Here are just a few of the day's major highlights:
--> A Vision for Growth: Our Principal and CEO, Sara-Jane Watkins, kicked things off by sharing WCG’s strategic vision for aligning education with regional economic needs.
--> The Call to Action: Corin Crane (Chief Executive, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce) delivered a stark and valuable reality check on the severity of regional employability issues. His message was clear: whether you're an SME or a large enterprise, the time for businesses to take action is now.
--> Co-Designing the Future: Our Deputy Principal, Stuart Evans, extended an open invitation to local businesses to partner with WCG. By helping us co-design college curricula and offering industry placements, businesses can directly shape the talent they need.
Real Stories, Real Impact: We heard inspiring, real-world case studies from incredible employers, alumni, and learners, including:
--> Rachael Spence (Training Manager, RG Wilbrey)
--> Helen Hitchman (Education Manager, Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens & WCG Alumna)
--> Gurdip Chatha (MD, Esque Beauty)
--> Charlie Byfield (Owner, Blush and Roses)
--> Paul Mardell (Musson Hall Farm)
--> Kath Foxon (Cohort Leader, JLR)
PLUS - Special local guest Sarah Horne, who passionately championed the value of building strong college connections.
Most importantly, our incredible students (both past and recent graduands) stole the show, sharing firsthand how industry placements have profoundly shaped their futures.
We wrapped up the day with a fantastic networking lunch, forging new connections that will undoubtedly strengthen our local economy.
A massive thank you to all of our speakers, panellists, and attendees for making today such a resounding success. Let’s keep working together to build a brighter, more resilient workforce for Warwickshire! 💼✨
Sarah Horne Botanicals R G Wilbrey Consultants Ltd Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens Esqué - Award Winning Beauty Leamington Blush & Rose Beauty Bar