There were a lot of happy employers exhibiting at the north west's biggest and most interactive learning and skills event in November 2005.

The reason for this was the 27,000 young people, aged 14-25 attending the show.

Previously named SkillCity, Skills NorthWest has been re-branded to reflect the emphasis on the pan-European needs of the region and represents the new management of the show by Clarion Events NEC.

It will be held this year at G-Mex Manchester between November 14 and 16 and is supported by the Learning and Skills Council.

Clarion Events Ltd is the largest independent consumer and trade show exhibition organiser in the UK and one of the top three exhibition organising companies in the country.

Clarion organise 51 events in total in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Harrogate and Glasgow.

Sally Nightingale Clarion Events NEC's show manager said: "Our main aim is to improve the events connection with the Centres of Vocational Excellence (COVE) and to demonstrate the relationships between colleges, training providers and most importantly of all north west employers".

As the government roll out initiative after initiative to entice our young people to learn the skills they need, there is still much to do.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, a visitor to the November 2005 show said: "We are witnessing the biggest and most dramatic industrial and economic reconstruction that has taken place in our time since the industrial revolution.

"The question is how will Britain succeed in this new economy?"

So it's up to events such as Skills NorthWest to seize the day and deal with the very real problem of stimulating the young people of the region to head off in pursuit of a skill or to follow a vocational calling.

Skills NorthWest will be focusing on those practical skills that are in short supply across our region, and where employers are experiencing their biggest recruitment headaches.

These have been regularly highlighted in the media with emphasis on construction, healthcare, engineering, tourism and hospitality.

Almost 100,000 young people visited the previous three interactive events all wanting to know more about choosing the right career path, whether construction was really a better option than journalism?

And how dedicated you needed to be to enter nursing?

Young people truly want to learn, work and contribute and it is up to the employers of the northwest to get behind Skills NorthWest.

This event is the perfect vehicle for businesses throughout the north west as it enables them to interact over a 3-day period with future employees.

No other event in this region gives employers so much direct personal contact with over 25,000 future employees.

Employers wishing to know more about exhibiting at Skills NorthWest should contact Sally Nightingale on 0121 767 2459