Businesses need you: Digby Jones appeals to young to upgrade skills – and their future

20 June 2012 Birmingham City University

Education is the crucial ingredient to global business success – and for young people it’s the best way to upgrade their future.

That’s the no-nonsense message from UK trade ambassador Lord Digby Jones during celebrations marking Birmingham’s status as the original design city.

Lord Jones made his comments as he opened the Birmingham Made Me Design EXPO - a unique exhibition organised by Birmingham City University, which is wowing visitors at The Mailbox, Birmingham, by showcasing innovation and excellence throughout the Midlands.

In a message to businesses and young people, Lord Jones said: “People will only buy if you add value, you can only add value if you have skills - and you only have skills if you believe in education.”

The full Lord Jones interview can be viewed at Birmingham City University’s news service: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqc2Vl9MJ9A&feature=player_embedded

More than a dozen exhibitors have taken over shops in The Mailbox to show the world that Birmingham and the region has the best in design excellence – and the show’s opening has been covered in special report by TV journalist Robin Powell

Leading Midlands businesses including Jaguar, AGA Rangemaster and JCB are taking part in the EXPO which aims to celebrate Birmingham as the original design city.

“This event is not just about celebrating our heritage but also about linking the Birmingham brand into tomorrow – and Birmingham City University has been so important to this, I want to thank them for having this leadership initiative,” added Lord Jones.

The week-long event will run to Friday 22 June and features over 100 exhibitors from business and education and incorporates a ‘Design Fringe’ programme with over 20 art and design seminars, events and activities, including Jaguar’s ground breaking hybrid super car concept, the C-X75, being revealed to the public for the first time in the UK.

Lord Jones was joined by Emma Bridgewater, Founder and Director of Emma Bridgewater, Birmingham City Leader Sir Albert Bore, Jerry Blackett, CEO of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Professor Chris O’Neil, Executive Dean of Birmingham Institute of Art and Design (BIAD).

The EXPO forms an integral part of the IDEA Birmingham initiative alongside the Birmingham City University Entrepreneur store – allowing students and graduates the opportunity to sell and showcase a variety of creative products.

http://www.bcu.ac.uk