Unlocking Somerset Talent: helping Somerset businesses recruit the talent of tomorrow

How can Somerset businesses recruit the talent they need for the future? That is the question at the heart of Unlocking Somerset Talent, taking place at Waterside Country Barn, Bradford on Tone, on 29 September 2026.

Organised by Passion for Somerset CIC and Somerset Chamber of Commerce, the event will bring together businesses, educators, training providers, community organisations and other partners to explore how employers can make better use of the wide range of young talent entering the workforce.

The event is about turning potential into opportunity, and helping Somerset businesses understand the different routes available to them to recruit, develop and retain their future workforce.

From apprenticeships, internships and T Levels to work placements and other emerging talent programmes, Unlocking Somerset Talent will showcase practical ways businesses can widen their recruitment pipeline, develop skills that meet their needs and give young people the opportunity to build successful careers in Somerset.

The event will challenge employers to look beyond traditional recruitment methods and consider how engaging with young people earlier can help address skills shortages, bring new ideas and perspectives into their organisations, and develop a loyal and skilled workforce for the future.

The keynote speech will be delivered by Rich Clothier MBE, Managing Director of Wyke Farms and a third-generation cheese maker. Rich leads the family business, which has produced Cheddar on its Somerset farm since 1861. His experience of building a successful, growing Somerset business provides a powerful perspective on the importance of developing people and investing in the next generation of talent.

The event will also feature contributions from employers and organisations already working successfully with apprentices, interns and other young talent pathways, providing practical insights into what works, the benefits to businesses and how employers can get started.

Nigel Muers-Raby, CEO of Passion for Somerset said: “Somerset has no shortage of talented young people, but we need to make sure our businesses understand how they can access that talent and develop it for their own future needs. Unlocking Somerset Talent is about giving employers the knowledge, confidence and practical examples to broaden their recruitment pipeline. Apprenticeships, internships, T Levels and work placements aren't simply opportunities for young people - they are valuable recruitment and workforce development tools for businesses. If we want Somerset businesses to thrive in the future, we need to make sure they are actively investing in the talent that will shape that future.”

Unlocking Somerset Talent is built around a shared ambition to inspire, nurture and connect young people with meaningful career opportunities, ensuring Somerset’s emerging talent is equipped for the future, while giving businesses the tools and understanding they need to make those connections work.

Ultimately, the event, sponsored by Young Somerset and Eurilait, is about creating a stronger link between Somerset’s businesses and its emerging workforce, helping employers discover new ways to recruit great people, develop skills and build the workforce they need for the future.

Unlocking Somerset Talent takes place on Tuesday 29 September 2026 at Waterside Country Barn, Bradford on Tone, Somerset.

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