SKILLS
Time to ‘JOIN THE DOTS’ in Herts skills challenge
A Hertfordshire small business owner is urging educators and employers to ‘join the dots’ as the county tackles its skills shortage.
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s the Chamber of Commerce finalises its Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) report to the Department for Education detailing what needs to be done to ensure a future workforce is properly equipped, organisations have been reflecting on the initiative. The Chamber was selected by the Secretary of State for education last year to lead the LSIP to gain an understanding of where the skills shortages lie and to bring businesses and training providers together. Andrea Boughton, founder and creative director at Beehive Green, based in Welwyn, attended one of the focus groups set up as part of the process. She said: “As a self-employed creative, it was interesting hearing differing perspectives from educators and employers. “As a parent, it was amazing to see the efforts of the colleges to provide the best education and the investment in Hertfordshire’s creative sector. Now it’s time to join the dots!” Ruth George, director at Ruth George HR Consulting in Hemel Hempstead, who also attended a session, said: “It was an important opportunity for business to liaise with 16+ and adult education and
training providers and discuss current business and candidate training and development needs. “It’s clear we have some excellent training provision available in Hertfordshire; the challenge is to ensure all businesses are aware of the offering and to encourage them to collaborate with local training providers to get the training and support that’s right for their business. “If it doesn’t yet exist, get involved and work with our local colleges to build the training
I was delighted to see so many businesses and education providers get involved with the survey and the focus groups. The information we received has helped us put together a comprehensive report for the DfE.
Briege Leahy, Herts Chamber CEO
you need. This event reassured me that providers are ready, willing and able.” A survey carried out as part of the Government-funded LSIP showed that 74 per cent of Herts businesses were prepared to invest in ensuring staff have the necessary skillset. Briege Leahy, Herts Chamber CEO, said: “I was delighted to see so many businesses and education providers get involved with the survey and the focus groups. The information we received has helped us put together a comprehensive report for the DfE.” The full report will be submitted to DfE next month with Hertfordshire’s findings and recommendations. The Government plans to have all LSIPs approved during the summer. The Herts Chamber would like to thank everyone involved from the panellists and colleges to the attendees and survey entrants, the draft for the LSIP findings will be completed by the end of May and the results will be released in due course.
For more information on the Chamber, visit https://www.hertschamber.com/
INSPIRE
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