Derby's Employer Summit 2026

About This Event

Finding the right peope isn't always easy. Could recruiting differently help you reach the talent your business needs?

Whether you are struggling to fill vacancies, looking to reach new talent, considering apprenticeships or simply want to understand what other recruitment options are available, Derby's Employer Summit 2026, is designed for you.

We will give you the opportunity to learn from other employers and rethink your recruitment approach.

Hear From:

• Rolls Royce
• East Midlands Rail
• Leonardo Hotels
• and many more

Event introduced by MP Baggy Shanker

Information on Baggy Shanker:

Born and raised in Derby, Baggy is a passionate advocate for the community as the Labour and Cooperative Member of Parliament for Derby South.

Prior to becoming an MP, Baggy joined Derby City Council as a Councillor in 2008 and was proud to be elected as leader of the Council in 2023, representing the community in which he has lived and worked in for so many years. Alongside his Council role, he has served on numerous charitable and voluntary groups in Derby for over 30 years.

Having left school at 16 to work as an engineering apprentice and with extensive experience in engineering roles, having worked at both Celanese and Rolls Royce, Baggy is a leading voice on British engineering and manufacturing in Parliament.

He is hugely enthusiastic about collaboration and the creation of opportunities for young people, that allow them to build the skills and confidence to move into jobs and rewarding careers and has worked closely on this in relation to the Derby Promise: Helping every young person achieve their potential.

Keynotes: TBC

Why Attend?

• Leave with practical ideas, new connections and recruitment solutions you can take back your business.
• Hear from employers recruiting differently.
• Get practical guidance from industry experts.
• Understand the funding and incentives available.
• Explore apprenticeships and alternative routes to recruit your talent.
• Connect and network with other employers.

Choose Your Workshops?

The event will feature a programme of interactive workshops (see below). Please choose 3 to attend on your order form:

1. Building Your Future Workforce Through Journey to Work
Discover how employers are using alternative approaches to recruitment to access new talent and create pathways into their businesses.

2. Funding & Incentives to Support Recruitment
Find out what funding, incentives and support are available and how they could help your business recruit.

3. Recruitment Solutions Through the Employment & Skills Hub
Explore practical and tailored recruitment solutions designed to connect employers with candidates and help meet recruitment needs.

4. The Business Value of Apprenticeships
Discover how apprenticeships can help address skills gaps, bring new talent into your organisation and develop talent for the future.

Plus any further workshops to be announced.

Who Should Attend?

If you are responsible for recruitment, workforce development or business growth, this event will be for you.

• HR Managers
• Recruitment Leads
• Operations Managers
• Business Owners
• Workforce Planning Leads
• Apprenticeship Leads
• Social Value Managers

Whether you're a small business recruiting your next employee or a larger organisation looking for new approaches to finding talent, you'll leave with new ideas, useful connections and practical options to explore.

Ready To Recruit Differently?

Derby's Employer Summit 2026 is free to attend, but places are limited.

Register now to secure your place.

Accessibility:

We aim to make our events as inclusive and accessible as possible. If you have any concerns about accessibility of any kind, please contact [email protected]

Organisers: The Employment and Skills Hub

This event is organised under the umbrella of Derby Promise; supporting every young person to achieve their potential.

Derby City Councils Employment and Skills Hub helps you gain the confidence, support and skills to move into employment. To learn more about The Employment Hub, contact [email protected] or visit our webpage.

DWP offers support and financial assistance to help people move into employment. The Employment Hub is working with DWP Youth Teams on this programme offering support and ensuring no sanctions are placed on anyone participating in this programme. You will need to inform your JCP Work Coach that you are participating in this programme to avoid any sanctions.