With less than 4 months until the opening of Gloucestershire's newest Science, Technology, Engineering & Manufacturing (STEM) training centre, businesses are getting a taste of what is on offer.

The team at SGS Berkeley GREEN are busy preparing to launch the new, purpose built facility, which has been designed to meet Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) priorities and address the increasing issues STEM based businesses have recruiting staff with the required skillsets.

With this in mind, and working in conjunction with Business West, SGS Berkeley GREEN is opening its doors to host a Business Breakfast for the regions STEM based companies on Thursday 1 June from 7.30am-9.45am.

The event will have an expert panel on hand to discuss training solutions, how to grow the regional STEM based economy, whilst also considering how to encourage more females into STEM based careers.

Already confirmed on the panel are Neil Carmichael, Stroud Conservative Parliamentary candidate, Peter Carr, lead commissioner -eEmployment and skills for Gloucestershire County Council and GFirst Local Enterprise Partnership, Kevin Hamblin, SGS group chief executive and Roman Cooper, MD of Allcooper.

The event will be facilitated by Ian Mean, long-time supporter of skills development within the region and Business West director.

The event will be held on the Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park, already home to We Link, Green Fuels and the University of Gloucestershire's new cyber training facility, within SGS Berkeley Green's £5 million Engineering Centre.

It will showcase some of the training facilities that will be available at the site for the built environment, welding, engineering and digital technologies.

George Ridd, director of site director of SGS Berkeley Green, said: ''Feedback from our business forums tells us that employers are struggling to find suitably qualified staff to meet the challenges of growth and development.

"This event enables us to debate these challenges fully with local companies and key partners plus, most importantly, identify potential solutions. It's also an opportunity to showcase Berkeley GREEN and the possible partnerships that may exist to help business thrive in the local economy. We look forward to welcoming everyone on the day."

Ian Mean said: "I believe that the new Berkeley Green training centre will play a major part in developing Gloucestershire's engineers of tomorrow. These young trainee engineers-girls and boys-will find Berkeley Green a very special learning centre in which to develop the skills that will be vital for manufacturing .

"These young people with STEM skills will become important cogs in the region's economy. It is one of the most exciting employer led projects I have ever seen".

To register attendance at the Business Breakfast, please contact Liam Evans at: liam.evans@sgscol.ac.uk or go to berkeleygreenbusinessbreakfastforum.eventbrite.co.uk