Midlands Employers Network formed

Eighteen employers from across the Midlands have agreed to form the Midlands Employers Network, a group for organisations that train commercial staff with Academy. Members include two councils, a housing association, a hospital trust, several manufacturers and a handful of small firms with fewer than 50 staff.

Why a network

The idea came from employers themselves. At last year's conference several said they had the same problems: finding people with commercial skills, keeping them once trained, and knowing what a good career path looks like for someone who manages contracts.

"Everyone was solving it alone," says Rahul Mehta, our Programmes Lead. "A manufacturer in Telford and a council in Coventry turned out to be writing almost the same job description."

What it will do

The network has agreed three priorities for its first year:

• a shared set of job profiles for commercial roles, linked to the Academy standard
• a work-placement scheme so that staff can spend a week in another member's commercial team
• a short annual report on pay and training for commercial roles across the region

The network will meet four times a year, alternating between online and in person. Academy provides the secretariat and meeting space but does not chair it. The first chair, elected by members, runs procurement at a Wolverhampton housing association.

Joining

Any organisation that has trained at least three people with Academy in the past two years can join, at no cost. The first meeting takes place on 24 September 2026 at Foundry Court.

Employers interested in joining should contact Rahul Mehta through the enquiry form, choosing "Training for my organisation" as the topic.