NEW College Durham is opening its doors to employers at its first employer breakfast networking event on May 22.

It is expected to be the first in a series of events the college will host to give employers the chance to meet, share ideas and best practice and find out how they can ensure their current and future workforce meets their businesses’ needs.

The event will begin with breakfast and networking for all attendees. This will be followed by discussions where attendees can talk about key work force development topics including apprenticeships, work placements and professional qualifications. There will also be a college feedback table to ensure a two-way dialogue is created.

Dawn Fairlamb, college vice principal, said: “This an opportunity to have open conversations about the topics so they can share ideas with one another and also ask questions.We’ll have experts at each table who will be there to provide information and tips on how businesses can get the most out of the various opportunities. There is also a space for employers to tell us what they need from us as a training provider and how we can work more closely in the future.”

The event is open to all employers, regardless of past involvement with the college.

Mark Anderson, Vice Principal, comments: “we work with 100s of employers every day but we have never before provided an opportunity for them to come together in this way. We envisage this becoming a regular event in their calendars so they can discuss their own experiences, network, share best practice and for new relationships to develop.

“We will invite attendees to help us shape the events going forwards, so that they can use them to truly benefit their organisation. We would encourage any type of business to come along and get involved.”

The event will start at 8am and run until 10am. Register at www.newcollegedurham.ac.uk