Waltham Forest College Strengthens Employer Partnerships to Deliver Skills for Economic Growth
Waltham Forest College recently welcomed employers from across the region to its Employer Breakfast Event, bringing together local and national businesses and College leaders to strengthen collaboration on skills development, apprenticeships, and future workforce needs.
The event opened with structured networking over breakfast, enabling employers to engage with senior leaders and managers and strengthen strategic partnerships. Janet Gardner OBE, Principal and CEO of Waltham Forest College, formally opened the event, reaffirming the College’s commitment to employer-led collaboration, skills development and its contribution to local, regional and national economic growth.
Janet Gardner OBE said:
“Our Employer Breakfast Event is about listening to employers and working together to continue to shape skills provision that meets current workforce needs. Strong collaboration with industry is essential to creating opportunities for learners and supporting local and regional economic growth.”
Employers then participated in a curriculum round-table discussion to identify current and emerging skills priorities and to inform the ongoing development of a curriculum aligned to local, regional, and national labour market needs. Discussions focused on addressing skills gaps, supporting productivity, and ensuring workforce sustainability.
A series of workshops highlighted how apprenticeships can drive business growth by developing a skilled and productive workforce, supporting succession planning, and improving staff retention. These discussions aligned with the government’s Skills for Jobs White Paper, reinforcing the role of high-quality, employer-led apprenticeships in addressing skills shortages and contributing to sustainable economic growth across Britain.
Russell Gewitzke, Local Director at NatWest, said:
“The Employer Breakfast Event was an excellent event and provided a valuable opportunity to connect with a wide range of business partners working in collaboration with the College. The curriculum team was highly impressive, the facilities are outstanding, and we look forward to further collaboration with the College.”
Nicola Hollands, Head of Partnerships, Skills and Training of CEME, said:
“Events such as the Employer Breakfast are vital in bringing education and industry together to address skills needs and support long-term economic growth. Strong partnerships with colleges like Waltham Forest College enable us to co-design training and skills solutions that respond directly to employer demand, support workforce development and create meaningful opportunities for learners and businesses alike.”
The event also showcased the College’s recently launched Business Growth Hub, delivered in partnership with Grow London Local. The Hub is designed to support local micro-businesses and SMEs to start up, scale and innovate, driving economic growth and supporting local communities. The Business Growth Hub provides office and conference facilities alongside specialist business support, with expert advice delivered by Grow London Local, part of London & Partners. Support ranges from helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into viable businesses, through to enabling early-stage enterprises and established SMEs to grow and thrive.
Artemisa, Independent Travel Agent and Consultant, said:
“I specialise in supporting women to build their own businesses, and I attended this event to network and engage with other organisations. The discussions were extremely valuable, particularly in relation to the College’s new Business Growth Hub, which offers clear opportunities for collaboration and enterprise support. I was able to exchange contacts with several attendees and look forward to the possibility of working with Waltham Forest College to support business growth in the local community.”
Robin, Founder of Catalyst in Communities (CIC), said:
“Young people in London can face a complex range of challenges, including social exclusion and limited access to creative and enterprise opportunities. As a Waltham Forest–based organisation founded 15 years ago, Catalyst in Communities is committed to supporting young people to build confidence, develop employability and enterprise skills, and access positive pathways into education, training and work. I was particularly impressed by Waltham Forest College’s strong mission and its commitment to working with employers and community partners to improve outcomes for young people locally, and would highly recommend the College and events like this.”
The event concluded with further networking, allowing employers and College staff to continue discussions and explore opportunities for ongoing collaboration and partnership.
For more information or to get involved in working with Waltham Forest College, contact
