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Business leaders, arts organisations, local councils and education providers are coming together at the University of Essex to discuss how to support a vibrant digital and creative economy in north Essex.

Creative Colchester has invited people from across the creative and digital industries to take part in ‘sandpit’ style workshops on Thursday 14 May. The event is designed to encourage discussion about the challenges being faced and identify the skills and support needed to help the sector prosper in the Colchester area.

Creative Colchester brings together institutions and practitioners to provide advice on the strategic direction and investment priorities to support the arts and creative business sectors in the borough.

Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities Professor Lorna Fox O'Mahony said: “The digital economy is rapidly expanding outside London, and Colchester is one of the fastest growing towns in Britain, with more than 3,500 people employed in the creative industries. This event offers major stakeholders an opportunity to identify their needs - from facilities to the development and enhancement of specific skillsets in the workforce - that will ensure that the Colchester and North Essex hub of creative and digital industries is fully equipped to thrive in this fast growing sector.”

Organisations taking part include Essex County Council, Colchester Borough Council, the Mercury Theatre, firstsite, the University of Essex, Colchester Institute and other education providers.

One key element for discussion is how higher education and further education programmes and courses can be enriched so existing staff and potential graduate recruits can meet cutting-edge industry needs.

The event will be held at Wivenhoe House Hotel at the University’s Colchester Campus from 4-7pm and there will be time for networking after the workshops.

Contact Karen Gooch in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Essex for more information by email at: kgooch@essex.ac.uk.