An Ammanford business founder is one of the guest speakers at an upcoming summit focusing on ways to prevent talented youngsters leaving Wales.

Scott James, founder of Coaltown Coffee Roasters in the town, will be one of the speakers at the summit, which will take place in Carmarthenshire next week.

Hosted by Antur Cymru Enterprises, the summit will be on Thursday, October 20 at Canolfan yr Egin, Carmarthen.

The focus of the summit is to prevent Wales’ youth leaving the country to pursue careers over the border.

The programme will be chaired by Mid and West Wales Senedd member Cefin Campbell.

Topics to be discussed include youth entrepreneurship, the Young Persons Guarantee, the national recruitment crisis and ‘old perceptions vs new realities’, helping young people navigate their working lives.

Other speakers, apart from Scott, will be:

  • Careers Wales chief executive Nikki Lawrence
  • Emma Benger, senior programme delivery manager for Employability and Skills at the Welsh Government
  • Llinos Price from Big Ideas Wales
  • CDI (Careers Development Institute) president and chair, Carolyn Parry

Bronwen Raine, managing director of Antur Cymru, will also deliver a presentation as the Newcastle Emlyn-based organisation marks 45 years of support and service to entrepreneurship and training of individuals and organisations in rural areas across the country.

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“We are delighted to have such incredible speakers join us for what is a very important conference at a time when Wales – like the rest of the UK – is facing unprecedented challenges in multiple sectors,” she said.

“There are opportunities out there for young people so it’s important we shine a light on them and work closely with schools, colleges, and universities to collaborate and showcase the benefits of helping boost the economy right here on their doorstep.

“As well as presentations by leading names we will have breakout sessions, a panel discussion and there will be an opportunity for attendees to share their experiences and thoughts on how together we can address these issues and make a difference for generations to come.”

Professor Emeritus Andy Penaluna from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David is also to deliver a talk on Enterprise, Entrepreneurship, and International Perspectives.

Limited spaces are available for the summit, which runs from 9am-4pm. To book your place, email elewis@anturcymru.org.uk.