North Staffordshire businesses looking to up skill and recruit in 2026, are being encouraged to register for a free-to-attend event taking place this month.

The Connects @ Keele event will take place at the Denise Coates Building, Keele University on Tuesday 20 January.

Project Manager Suzanne Quinn from the Staffordshire and Stoke Skills Hub, will be explaining opportunities available for businesses to connect with training providers to close skills gaps and unlock growth.

There will also be three different break-out rooms taking place during the event.

Karen Woolley, Development Manager for Staffordshire and the West Midlands at the Federation of Small Businesses will provide a talk on late payments and support for SMEs, whilst Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group representatives Selina Rudzik and Fiona Rae will be sharing information about T Levels, apprenticeships and adult learning qualifications.

Director of Partnerships at AMW Renewables, Jas Bahra - who has a wealth of experience across technology, engineering and sustainability - will also be sharing practical insights into the funded support available to organisations to meet their net zero targets.

Connects @ Keele is the third in a series of events to take place in the build up to the second Shaping the Future Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Festival.

The events have been organised by Connects Network - who partnered with Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council last year to help to organise the festival and are continuing to do so again this year.

The 2026 business festival will take place from 16 March to the 20 March and is supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Keele University.

"We have had two really positive Connects @ Keele events in recent months with some fantastic speakers and we are really looking forward to bringing our third session ahead of the 2026 business festival," said Peter Herbert, Director of not-for-profit Connects Network.

"January's focus is all centred on up-skilling and employability, therefore we are delighted to have representatives from the Staffordshire and Stoke Skills Hub along with the Federation of Small Businesses and Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group.

"Each of these organisations can provide really vital and useful information for organisations looking to either expand their skills or recruit."

Peter added: "Net Zero is also a hot topic and therefore those attending will be able to learn from the very experienced Jas Bahra who has a wealth of experience in sustainability."

In November last year the second Connects @ Keele event focused on health, wellbeing and neurodiversity in the workplace, whilst in September legal and film experts shared their knowledge to local businesses.

Connects at Keele 3, will start from 9:30am and lunch will also be provided.

Bookings are required and more information can be found here.