Skills

Retraining

essential as one in five firms consider job cuts

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has called for the government to extend skills training as new research showed nearly one in five companies are considering staff redundancies as the next phase of furlough tapering begins.

With older workers much more likely to still be on furlough, there’s concern that they could go unutilised unless support for retraining is immediately put in place.

Carried out by BCC, the survey asked more than 250 businesses with employees still on furlough what their response might be to employers’ contributions to the scheme rising. Nearly one in five (18%) said they would make staff redundant. The BCC survey comes after HMRC data showed older workers were far more likely to remain furloughed than younger ones, raising concerns about what plans are in place to re-skill those who are left without jobs as the scheme winds down – with skills shortages continuing to bite across the UK labour market. Jane Gratton, head of people policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Recent changes to the furlough scheme is likely to result in many thousands of people being released back into the labour market, as employers who are still struggling to recover from the recession are forced to make redundancies and cuts to working hours. “With widespread skills shortages across the economy, some will find new jobs where their skills are in demand, while others will need to retrain for opportunities in a different sector. “Whether furloughed workers are returning to the workplace or the wider labour market, it’s crucial that employers and the government give them the support and training they need to be re-engaged and productive. Alongside rapid retraining opportunities, the government should extend the Kickstart scheme into 2022 and expand it to enable older workers to gain new skills and experience.” While some workers may need re-skilling or upskilling to re-enter the labour market, firms that are looking to grow their workforce are finding it hard to source suitably skilled staff. A recent BCC survey showed that seven out of ten firms were having difficulty hiring the right talent for their business. The sector with the highest proportion of firms reporting difficulties was construction at 82%, followed closely by hotels & catering at 76%. Of respondents in production & manufacturing, 68% reported difficulties in recruitment. Consumer services firms were the least likely to report difficulties but even in that sector the proportion facing issues was 61%. Jane Gratton said: “As firms are released from lockdown restrictions, the skills and labour shortages they experienced before the pandemic are once again starting to bite. The encouraging increase in job creation across the manufacturing and services sectors is being held back by recruitment difficulties at all skill levels, jeopardising growth and productivity. “Whether people have found work in a different sector, changed their working patterns or left the UK during the recession, firms are now struggling to find the people they need. It’s vital that business, government and the skills system work together to find solutions. “Adopting more remote and flexible working patterns will help firms attract skills from a wider talent pool. But we also need access to rapid and agile training and reskilling opportunities for adults in the workforce, alongside a flexible and cost-effective immigration system that ensures fast access to skills when these can’t be recruited locally.”

“While some workers may need re-skilling or upskilling to re-enter the labour market, firms that are looking to grow their workforce are finding it hard to source suitably skilled staff.”

Going from Strength to

Strength to Support the Business Community

On the 11th May it was confirmed in a letter from the Department for Education that STCG could use the title ‘University Centre

South Thames Colleges Group’

This is a very positive outcome for the College Group, and we are extremely proud of being able to use this title. STCG is the largest provider of college based Higher Education in London and has a history of delivering first class university level courses. Students benefit from first class facilities, small class sizes and excellent employment opportunities on graduation.

The Vice Principal of Higher Education and Business Partnerships Stella Raphael-Reeves and the Head of Higher Education, Donna Pike (Principal Fellow) at STCG are working closely with all our HE partners to ensure Strategic Alliance Documents are set up, signed off and collaborative project plans are in place ready for the new academic year.

We have a number of very exciting projects in the pipeline including a variety of new Degrees and Foundation Years in a range of curriculum areas across the Group. In June we held the first of our ‘Influencer Talks’ on Online Fitness opportunities with St Mary’s Institute of Sport and explored the world of Sport and Fitness. This was the first of a series of Webinars (Ted Talks) which will be open to all starting in September 2021. At the time of going to press, Clearing for our Undergraduate courses is still open, but places are filling fast so if you are looking to develop your team or yourself please visit our website STCG/Undergraduate/Clearing now. The Business Partnership Team led by Head of Business Partnerships Kathryn Elliott are also working behind the scenes on opportunities with large and smaller business to offer a portfolio of provision from Level 1 to Degrees to support and meet skills gaps in London. This includes Apprenticeships and Higher Level Apprenticeships in a large number of subject areas. We are also working hard to transform the impact of education on entrepreneurship and self-employment and offering a free 5 day Entrepreneurship programme to anyone above 19 who is interested in starting their own business. • Apprenticeships • Pre – Apprenticeships • Online Provision • ESOL • Work Force Development Courses • Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment – Visionnaires – 5 Days over 5 Weeks (Free) Offer • Kickstart and Pre Kickstart • Bespoke offer to support employment (Barista Training) • Sector Skills Academies • Functional Skills We are also currently bidding for a Mayor’s Hospitality Hub at STCG to support training and good work for all in the Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms Developments. The Business Partnerships Team are an innovative, current, supportive, professional and ambitious team whose core values are to; • Listen to our employers and offer flexible and adaptable solutions for their changing workforce • Identify and fill skills gaps and offer the appropriate training required including but not confined to Apprenticeships or bespoke training • Help employers to recruit their future work force through Apprenticeships • Working with industry experts within each curriculum area • Enthusiastic and committed to Quality and Performance (Ofsted rated Good in all areas across the group of colleges) • Future Focused “ I have learnt new strategies to help with my studies and to understand the theory behind learning techniques, I have also had the chance to meet new like-minded people.

My tutor has gone out of her way to help me with my disability and the transition into education as a disabled person, and the College community helped me enormously with my struggles of getting around. ”

Please feel free to contact us at: Business@stcg.ac.uk TRACY PARTRIDGE-SMITH

Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) – Generic Pathway