Leaders from across business, education, local government and the community came together at Cornwall College this week to mark the official launch of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly (CIoS) Workforce & Skills Strategy - a major step forward in building a skilled, resilient and future-ready workforce for the region.Hosted by Cornwall College as part of the ‘Cornwall Month of Skills’ – a celebration of learning, growth, and opportunity – the breakfast event brought together a wide range of people, including members of the CIoS Workforce & Skills Board, employers and sector representatives, education and training providers, plus health and employment support services.Opening the event, Professor Emma Hunt, Chair of the CIoS Workforce & Skills Board, highlighted the importance of building momentum and partnership across the region: “Today is about collaboration and a shared commitment to shaping a skilled, resilient, future‑ready workforce for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.” “Economic shifts, technological change and demographic pressures mean we cannot rely on old models. This Strategy provides one single, shared plan - built through evidence, partnership and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s identity as a creative, ambitious, place‑based region.”Professor Hunt emphasised that this Strategy sits within the wider Cornwall Good Growth Plan, aligning skills, opportunity and economic ambitions, and called on partners to help co‑design and deliver long‑term change.The Strategy outlines four key pillars; Inspire, Transform, Innovate, and Thrive - designed to improve pathways for residents, strengthen talent pipelines and support skills development across priority sectors.Delivering further detail, Stacey Sleeman, the Head of Skills at Cornwall Council, outlined the challenges and opportunities shaping the region’s skills landscape:“Employers consistently tell us that they are struggling to fill roles, while young people tell us they want clearer pathways.”“This Strategy is a step-change for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It brings together one shared plan across the entire system, rooted in strong labour market evidence and long-term commissioning. Most importantly, it puts people at the centre - supporting progression, lifelong learning and the development of new talent pipelines.”She also highlighted how early delivery mechanisms - such as the devolved Adult Skills Fund, Skills Bootcamps, and targeted sector programmes - are already accelerating impact across the region.The event also featured insights from Joanie Willett, Associate Professor in Politics at the University of Exeter - who reflected on the evidence underpinning the Strategy and the opportunities for innovation through stronger links between the workforce, industry and training providers – as well as a welcome and introduction to the event from both Rory Mason, Vice Principal Quality of Education, and Luke Bazeley, Deputy Principal General Further Education, at Cornwall College.The launch concluded with a call to action for employers, providers and community partners to support delivery by offering placements, engaging in careers activity, helping shape curriculum content and contributing to outcome tracking.Stacey Sleeman told the meeting: “This Strategy belongs to all of us. Its success depends on shared leadership and ongoing collaboration. Together, we can build a thriving, inclusive skills ecosystem for the future of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.”Copies of the strategy and supporting materials were made available at the event, alongside opportunities for partners to join sector networks and upcoming commissioning activity.ENDS