This event explored the rapidly expanding UK defence sector and the urgent skills gap it faces, highlighting a projected recruitment demand for up to 83,000 new workers over the next decade. The conversation centred around strategic solutions to build a robust talent pipeline, focusing on rapid AI innovation, localised training partnerships like the Nuclear Skills Academy, and community-integrated defence clusters. The panel examined current funding challenges and advocated for a collaborative, cross-boundary approach to support flexible adult upskilling and long-term technical education.