Chaired by Professor Alistair Fitt, the session explored the pivotal role that talent, innovation, and regional collaboration must play in achieving this target. From primary school outreach to reskilling the current workforce, and from nurturing creative industries to attracting global investment, the session underlined that skills are not just part of the growth conversation – they are central to it.

Early intervention is crucial

Anne Bailey, CEO of Form the Future, was clear: future career pathways start forming as early as age six. Drawing on the ASPIRES study, she highlighted how early exposure to science and industry can build “science capital” – a sense of familiarity and belief in STEM careers, especially vital for students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds. Through initiatives like Cambridge Unlocked, Anne showcased how employer-school engagement can be scaled across the region, creating a marketplace of opportunity that better aligns education with future industries.

Skills for tomorrow

Director of the AUG, Alistair Lomax, expanded on the deep shifts facing the labour market. He laid out the technological, environmental, and creative forces reshaping the region’s economy – from quantum and AI to sustainable construction and digital creativity. The numbers are stark: while 11 million new jobs could emerge by 2030 due to new technologies, nine million may be displaced. Meanwhile, green sectors alone could require 3 million workers to reskill. A fifth of the UK workforce is expected to be directly involved in delivering net zero.

He shared the plan for AUG’s Opportunities Hub, a three-part solution combining data (Intelligence Hub), pathways (Talent Hub), and support for employers (Multi-Mentor Hub) – a model to futureproof the Growth Corridor’s skills pipeline.

Construction, diversity and the green transition

Olaide Obah, Managing Director at Populate, took the conversation to the built environment. As communities are reshaped to house a new generation of knowledge workers, construction too must evolve. However barriers remain: outdated perceptions, low awareness of green job roles, underrepresentation across diverse groups, and structural challenges in training provision. Olaide emphasised the need for inclusive strategies that engage young people early and give employers the tools to train and retain the green-skilled workforce of tomorrow.

Creative futures 

The discussion rounded out with a spotlight on the creative sector’s contribution. From Universal Studios’ 28,000 projected jobs to Propeller Stages’ model for skills training in film, gaming and digital design, creativity is a powerful economic engine. 

What next?

The panel called for stronger employer engagement, targeted investment in early education and careers outreach, better training infrastructure, and responsive visa policy. The message was clear: unlocking the full potential of the Growth Corridor requires joined-up effort across public, private and educational sectors.

The audience was left with a challenge – and an invitation: join us to shape a future-ready workforce. As Alistair Fitt concluded, “We can only do this together.”