{ CHAMBER NEWS } ACES
WHAT CAN ACES DO FOR ME? To become a Member of ACES just join your local Chamber of Commerce in East Sussex. Full details at www.acesalliance.org
THE ALLIANCE OF CHAMBERS IN EAST SUSSEX ACES IS THE ALLIANCE OF CHAMBERS IN EAST SUSSEX, LINKING 4,000 BUSINESS MEMBERS ACROSS THE COUNTY. If you belong to one of the Chambers of Commerce in East Sussex, you are automatically a member of ACES. This means that you can share your company news in these Platinum Business pages without charge. Just email your news item to your local
Chamber with a high resolution picture and they will pass it on to the ACES press office. Alternatively, if you would like to network with progressive business people from across the county, you can attend one of the varied ACES events or the BEST4Biz Conference in October, 2015. ACES has a strong voice with local policy makers and can lobby on your behalf to remove barriers to business. Just call ACES on 01323 641144 or check www.acesalliance.org to see how we can help.
NEW APPROACH TO BOOST EMPLOYMENT AND SKILLS IN EAST SUSSEX ACES has joined Skills East Sussex, an influential body aimed at bringing together leading figures from education and industry to boost employment and skills. Established as part of East Sussex County Council’s employability and skills strategy, Skills East Sussex was launched last year and includes representatives from schools, colleges and universities, careers services, business networks and employers. It plans to meet regularly to discuss how they can ensure that employers can access skilled staff locally. The first Skills East Sussex meeting focused on the construction sector, with representatives from companies large and small from across the county. Subsequent meetings will have different business sector focuses. The next will take place in April and will focus on the engineering sector. These meetings allow businesses to explain the obstacles they face to recruiting skilled staff, influence the type of training provision available and clarify how they can help by offering work experience, apprenticeships and supporting careers guidance. Graham Peters, chairman of Skills East
Battle Chamber of Commerce www.battlechamber.org.uk
Bexhill Chamber of Commerce 01424 842892 www.bexhillchamber.co.uk
Crowborough Chamber of Commerce www.crowboroughchamber.co.uk
Representatives from business and education attended the inaugural meeting of Skills East Sussex. Front (from left): Gene Payne, (Head Teacher Causeway School), Becky Shaw (East Sussex County Council Chief Executive), Graham Peters (Chairman of Skills East Sussex), Christina Ewbank, (Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex) Back (from left): Martin Ellis (Recruitment South East), Melanie Hunt, (Principal, Sussex Downs College), Sonia Plato (Horizons), Paul Mitchell (Sussex Council of Training Providers), Amanda Menahem (HR Director Hastings Direct)
Sussex and vice chairman of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It’s vital to the economy of East Sussex that businesses based in the county are able to tap into the skilled workforce they need from within the local area.” Becky Shaw, County Council ChiefExecutive, said: “Making sure people in East Sussex, and in particular young people, have the skills that
Eastbourne UnLtd Chamber of Commerce 01323 641144 www.eastbournechamber.co.uk
East Sussex County Council 01273 481570 www.eastsussex.gov.uk
Federation of Small Businesses 01424 754686 Reg Office: 01323 482018 www.fsb.org.uk/eastsussex
businesses need is vital to ensuring existing companies can thrive and to attracting new investment in jobs into the county. “Skills East Sussex, which will meet quarterly, will set priorities and provide direction for the county’s approach to employment and skills, informed by labour market and skills analysis being developed by the county council. “
Hailsham Chamber of Commerce 01323 310531 www.hailshamchamberofcommerce.co.uk
Hastings Chamber of Commerce 01424 205500 www.hastingschamber.co.uk
Heathfield Chamber of Commerce 01435 865858 www.heathfieldchamber.co.uk