Firms encouraged to join forces with training providers in bid to tackle skills gap
Businesses in Burton, Cannock Chase, Lichfield and Tamworth are being urged to join forces to help tackle a skills shortage across the region.
It comes as new figures revealed 42 per cent of firms across Staffordshire were struggling to source new recruits with basic employment skills.
Data from the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire revealed the extent of the skills shortage.
In the case of one priority sector, Health and Social Care, 71 per cent of organisations were struggling with a skills gap.
Now business leaders are being given the chance to make known their training needs in a series of collaborative events with providers.
More than 30 sessions are being set up for late February and March by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce in their capacity as the Employer Representative for LSIP in the region.
The aim is to find out what training is needed and how employers and providers can collaborate to build a stronger skills system for the future.
The Burton and District, Cannock Chase and Lichfield & Tamworth Chambers of Commerce are partnering with the South Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Skills Hub for events at Tamworth Enterprise Centre, Chasetown Football Club and Burton & South Derbyshire College next month.
Chris Brewerton (pictured), head of Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber, said: “It is more important than ever that employers speak up about the issues they are facing, so that training providers can work with them to help address their needs.”
Richard Brooks, head of Burton & District and Cannock Chase Chambers, said: “These sessions are opportunities for businesses to voice what they need from a skills perspective over the next few years.”
Locations of the events, which are open to all and cover a wide range of business sectors, include:
- Burton and South Derbyshire College on 5 March - find out more
- Chasetown Football Club on 6 March - find out more
- Tamworth Hub/Enterprise Centre on 7 March - find out more
Many of the events will be hosted by training providers and providers will be present at all sessions.
