Local Sector Skills Statements 2017

A breakdown of the skills challenges affecting businesses in the West of England has been released by Skills West, a Business West and West of England Local Enterprise Partnership initiative.

The statements provide an overview of the skills challenges faced by businesses during 2017, as well as possible solutions and partnerships to address them. The statements also highlight notable achievements and developments in skills, and celebrate success stories.

The Local Sector Skills Statements are now available and cover the following sectors: advanced engineering and aerospace, construction, creative and digital, distribution, health and life sciences, high tech, low carbon, professional and financial services, retail, rural and food economy, social enterprise and visitor economy.

They look at the role of careers education information advice and guidance, and provide an overview of the quality and responsiveness of local education and training, the level of apprenticeship starts, productivity and capacity for growth and diversity in the workforce.

They aim to help education and training leaders develop training that meets the needs of the West of England economy, as well as improving careers information. By providing up-to-date labour market intelligence, they also help businesses to make informed workforce planning and resourcing decisions, identifying key areas for training and continuing professional development investment.

Skills West programme lead, Nicky Williams, Head of Skills at Business West commented:

“This is the first year that Business West have produced the Local Sector Skills Statements on behalf of the West of England region. They are a great strategic resource for our education partners and businesses in the region, indeed any organisation involved in planning or development around skills and training. Our training providers across the region will use the statements to inform their curriculum planning and decisions on future investment in the skills landscape, and the results from the Business Skills and Training Survey for 2017 will feed into the next set of statements in 2018.”

Professor Steve West, Chair of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, said:

“The statements contain valuable intelligence that can help education and training organisations ensure courses and qualifications meet the needs of our employers. As a region we need to work together to improve the quality and relevance of careers advice, and provide clearer routes into sustainable and rewarding careers for our residents.”

Skills West is funded by the European Social Fund and Education & Skills Funding Agency, and is designed to promote joined-up thinking among key partners to tackle skills gaps.

Skills West will be hosting a series of events to across the region; Next Generation Careers: 2017 Review – the Future of Employment and Skills. The events will highlight the key findings from the statements and will take place on the following dates:

• 25 January          City of Bristol
• 30 January          Bath College
• 31 January          Engine Shed
• 20 February        SGS College

The roadshow will be of particular interest to training providers, careers advisers and anyone working in training.

If you would like to join Skills West at one of these events please visit www.businesswest.co.uk/skillsevents , email skillswest@businesswest.co.uk or call us on 0330 124 4446.

You can find the reports here www.businesswest.co.uk/local-sector-skills-statments