STUDENTS and staff from a Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) centre took part in a discussion on skills and training in the 21st century workplace.

On Friday, 13 April members of the East Hampshire Conservative Association joined with representatives from the Future Skills Centre in Bordon, part of BCoT, and students from other Hampshire schools, to discuss and develop ideas on the skills and training required for the 21st Century.

The event, held in Sheet Village Hall, attracted 55 people with a panel of experts including Damian Hinds, MP for East Hampshire; Steven Gilder, manager of the Future Skills Centre) and Philip Greenish, chief executive of The Royal Academy of engineering and council member of the University of Southampton).

A wide variety of deas emerged, which are now being fed into the Conservative Party’s policy-making machinery in London.

Mr Gilder said: “The Future Skills Centre and Basingstoke College of Technology were honoured to be part of this event.

"Our role in training the next generation and providing young people with employability skills through teaching and apprenticeships to enable them to step into the world of work is crucial.

"This event was an excellent opportunity to highlight the issues we face and help shape the future of skills and training in the 21st century.”