BUSINESSES within North Yorkshire’s globally renowned bioeconomy are being called upon to help tackle a skills shortage that could threaten the £8.7 billion industry.

Bio-based businesses are being urged to have their say on how the regional education system needs to adapt in order to improve the region’s skills offering in the bioeconomy.

Business leaders and York’s four main further and higher education providers are coming together to discuss the issues at a skills breakfast next week at the National Agri-Food Innovation Campus (NAFIC) in Sand Hutton, near York.

The group is calling for more bio-based businesses to join them on May 17 to help identify what future skills and training are needed if the region is to capitalise on its reputation as a global leader in bioscience.

Currently the bioeconomy employs around 105,000 people in Yorkshire and contributes £8.7 billion to the regional economy.

Annabel Jelley, head of skills at the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP, said: “The bioeconomy is a growing, innovative industry that is undergoing many exciting technological advances. Propelling this industry will require a workforce skilled and up-to-date on the latest research, processes and techniques.

“We want to attract and retain an expert workforce by building a stronger academic and technical skills-base through industry-led actions.

“This is an opportunity for those in bio-based industry to tell the higher education and training providers what they need and about the opportunities that exist.”

The event will involve a panel discussion led by Rick Mumford, director of science at Fera Science Ltd, with five regional FE and HE providers – University of York, York College, York St. John University, Bishop Burton College and Askham Bryan College.

Dr Maggie Smallwood, CEO of BioVale which helps provide regional businesses with specialised training, facilities, funding and other support, said: “The bio-based businesses in the region are at the cutting edge of applied-science, building the region’s capability and reputation as a global leader in innovation.

“The companies are increasingly creating jobs and and there is a growing need for young people with a passion for science and innovation.

“But if we are to capitalise on this, the education providers need to work closely with these businesses to make sure they can provide young people with the right skills to take advantage of the employment opportunities that exist.”

To book a place: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/skills-for-breakfast-tickets-33212084238