, IDENTIFIES SOME OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT LIE AHEAD FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES IN 2023

Happy New Year! I hope it does feel happy and I hope you’re feeling refreshed after the Christmas break (if you got one).

There’s no denying the year ahead is going to be challenging, and if you can’t see light at the end of the tunnel then do get in touch with Cornwall Chamber to see if there’s anything we can do to help.

We need to lean on each other this year –partner up, collaborate, and openly share to ensure our businesses are strengthened against the turning tide.

Recently, local tech company (who I’m sure

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you’ve all heard of) Headforwards, advertised two jobs for Junior Developers. The advert stated that the two successful candidates would work at Headforwards for 12-18 months before taking up a permanent role with its client, Cornwall Council.

This isn’t something we’ve seen before in Cornwall, and it got me thinking about how many variations of this kind of collaboration there could be. Getting more creative in the way we recruit and work with other businesses and organisations could be the route to narrowing the skills gap in Cornwall.

Skills is going to be a hot topic in 2023; for some, recession might mean retraining is the only way to go to avoid unemployment.

There should be plenty of jobs in the NHS and care sector, as well as trades and agriculture. Some people will need to upskill or differently skill for this to happen, but I anticipate the skills they need will be entirely achievable.

Alongside this, Cornwall needs to train the more complex, future skills to ensure we retain and attract the best young people for our spaceport, lithium extraction organisations, renewable energy companies and alike, working with FE and HE in the county and beyond. It’s a sign of how far Government policy is not meeting SME concerns that Skills is not a Shared Prosperity Fund priority until 2025.

It’s really important to get out and about in 2023 – networking events are the way forward when it comes to opportunities for collaboration and partnership. Be sure to treat those opportunities as a business skill: prepare, engage, ask, follow through.

Make sure you give your young members of staff ample opportunity to do the same. Nominations are now open for Cornwall’s 30 under 30 – a celebration of the Duchy’s brightest young business talent and one of the high points of my year.

Now in their eighth year, the awards, which are organised by Cornwall Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Business Cornwall, Whyfield Associates, Don’t Cry Wolf, Pirate FM and Truro & Penwith College, recognise 30 of the Duchy’s most innovative young businesspeople.

This year 30 under 30 will also be supported by some exciting Nex Gen events. This Chamber group will help guide you through your application and will also give you access to new events and the opportunity to make important business connections whether you make the final 30 or not.

To be eligible for the award, candidates must be employed, or self-employed, under the age of 30 on March 18, 2023 and living and working in the Duchy.

Nominations can come from friends, family, employer, colleagues or the individual themselves. The judges are looking for nominations that represent the true diversity Cornwall has to offer and the unique contribution these passionate and talented people are adding to our region. Enter now at the Chamber website, best of luck!

Have a great start to the year: get out there, talk, collaborate, share, and help each other.

The harbourhouse is set to open in the summer, following an extensive refurbishment of the building – the former Seven Stars pub – which was bought by Tamara Costin