Leading businesses are to gather to take action on the skills and training gap facing Scotland.

Business leaders and HR managers are being urged to attend a unique business 'Talent Summit' on Thursday 2 April 2009 in Edinburgh, to develop a plan of action to tackle the skills and training gap facing Scotland.

This high profile summit urges businesses to come together and understand that even in the current climate there are ways to help fill the gap by using current resources. Demonstrating how businesses can prosper by implementing innovative and cost-effective ways to develop their staff, this summit is ultimately focused on nurturing Scotland’s potential talent and building a future.

Keynote speaker Lord Robert Smith, Chairman of Weir Group and Scottish & Southern Energy and a member of Alex Salmond's Council of Economic Advisors will address the audience, giving an insight into the economic imperative of up skilling Scotland's workforce and how businesses can, and should contribute.

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Lord Smith will be joined by a host of other high profile business leaders from across Scotland who understand the importance of this issue including: Iain McMillan (CBI) , David Watt (IoD), Chris Van Der Kuyl (CEO of Bright Solids), Stuart Riddle (ICAS) and Gordon Wilson (Amey). They will drive the Summit, inviting debate and discussion, and encourage businesses to think differently about how they develop their staff.

Maree Drury, campaign manager for Scotland’s Got Talent, knows that Scotland needs this type of forum to get businesses motivated she said: "Our Talent Summit is not a talking shop - it is about action. Acting now will ultimately benefit Scotland in the future so no one can afford to sit around.

"The Talent Summitis here to help. We can devise development opportunities with businesses that fit their business needs. We can help with partnerships. This Summit will show businesses just how easy it is to get involved and the overwhelming benefits they will receive as a result."

It is free to attend and runs from 8.30am to 1.30pm at The Hub, Castlehill Edinburgh. To reserve a place please e-mail [email protected]

(GK/JM)