Shaping the Future: Graduate Talent and Skills in a Tech-Driven World

As technology transforms every corner of the working world, from AI-assisted recruitment to shifting job markets and evolving workplace demands, how do we prepare the next generation of talent for lasting success in a landscape that’s constantly evolving?

Join Gradconsult for a thought-provoking panel discussion at Leeds Digital Festival, exploring how early careers and graduate recruitment are being reshaped by technology and why a focus on skills over roles is more important than ever.

We’ll examine the growing impact of AI and digital tools on job searching, assessment, and career pathways, while tackling big questions about the future of work. As roles become more fluid and traditional job titles give way to skill-based hiring, what capabilities will tomorrow’s graduates need to thrive?

This session will also shine a spotlight on the Graduates West Yorkshire programme, delivered by Gradconsult on behalf of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. This innovative initiative is connecting high-quality graduates with SMEs across the region, adopting a skills-first approach to fuel local growth and meet the evolving needs of employers.

The Gradconsult team will be joined by representatives from across the early careers landscape, including employers, graduates, and professionals working in skills and recruitment. Each offering unique insights into how we can collectively shape a more agile, inclusive, and skills-focused future of work.

Panel:

Helen Perkins, Consultant at Gradconsult (Chair)

Rebecca Fielding, Founder and MD at Gradconsult

Dr Helen Hughes, Associate Professor at Leeds University Business School

David Dewey, CEO at Shortlister

Rebecca MacDonald, Regional Technology Early Talent Lead at Accenture

Pippa Rose Ridley, Managing Director and Lead Developer at Etempa Web Solutions

We would like to thank Bruntwood SciTec for providing us with the space at Platform as our event partner for this event.

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