Businesses across Suffolk are being urged to sign up to the county’s largest skills and careers event, which will involve more than 500 11- to 14-year-olds from local schools.

The Suffolk Skills Show Experience is being held at Trinity Park in Ipswich on October 22 and represents an opportunity for young people to participate in interactive activities, try different skills and hear directly from employers about what they are looking for.

And organisers of the event, which is being sponsored by EDF Energy, are now calling on firms large and small across Suffolk also to sign up and be part of an important day for the future of the county’s economy.

“There is no doubt that Suffolk is the home of hard work and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Ian Twinley, chairman of the Suffolk Skills Show Experience.

“Our economy is above the UK average in many important areas such as exporting and growth and it’s important that we maintain this growth, not only in the months but also in the years ahead. That is why the Suffolk Skills Show Experience is so important.

“Our businesses, our economy and our county must be future-proofed and that means ensuring we have the right skills in the right places for the right people. This event is a key driver to make that happen.”

The Suffolk Skills Show Experience is being hosted by Suffolk County Council and West Suffolk College, and supported by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, with all three oragnisations placing skills at the top of their economic agendas.

At a recent Suffolk Chamber business leaders’ dinner held at Ipswich Town Football Club, Suffolk County Council chief executive Deborah Cadman explained the authority’s commitment to skills.

“I am passionate about making Suffolk a place that businesses want to come too,” she said. “Councils must lead long term sustainable growth and while I believe they need to be braver on such things as infrastructure there is no doubt skills are key to our future success.”

Chris Bushby, vice-president of Suffolk Chamber, said: “It is really encouraging to hear that groups are coming together to make this event so successful.

“Suffolk County Council is showing real leadership by being a business-savvy organisation that is bringing people to our county where they can live, work and be a part of the successful future of Suffolk.”

Stephen Walls of EDF added: “EDF recognises that we need to play our part in helping meet the skills challenge in Suffolk. That is why we are sponsoring this year’s Suffolk Skills Show Experience. We need to ensure we inspire and raise the aspirations of young people across the county.”