New Employer Hub launched to support Plymouth businesses

Led by Plymouth City Council, Skills Launchpad Plymouth has unveiled a new online Employer Hub designed to bring together localised solutions to help address recruitment, employment, workforce skills and training challenges.

Aimed at helping local small to medium sized companies as well as offering additional support for larger businesses, the Employer Hub provides advice, guidance, and access to information setting out clear options to help employers better navigate the complex skills, training and employment landscape.

During the launch event held at Boringdon Park Golf Club, business leaders firmly endorsed the value and benefits of the new Employer Hub service.

Jonathan Keable, Leader of Plymouth’s Federation of Small Businesses said: “We really understand that local employers are struggling with significant skills gaps and skills shortages which is impacting on their ability to attract, recruit and retain people with the right skills.

“So launching the Employer Hub could not have come at a better time. I have been championing the Employer Hub development as we recognise particularly for our smaller employers, that understanding this complex and every changing skills and employment landscape is hard, and you don’t know what you don’t know!

“Through city-wide partnership working, we have co-designed this new online resource, aimed at helping local employers, of all sizes and sectors, to tap into a full menu of recruitment solutions and support, and impartial information, advice and guidance for all things skills and training relating to the city and regional opportunities.”

Paul Turner, chair of Plymouth’s Employment and Skills Board, and Human Resources director at Princess Yachts said: “This new online go to, one-stop-shop will help businesses to get better informed, to navigate more options and help to connect with the right people and organisations locally.

“The city’s Skills Plan ‘Skills 4 Plymouth’ sets the ambition to deliver a responsive, single skills system that meets the needs of local employers, and where local people across all ages and communities can access skills, jobs and support for career progression right on their doorstep.

“In response we have delivered and are developing ‘Skills Launchpad Plymouth’ which we consider to be a key enabler. I am delighted that the Employer Hub is now live and encourage local businesses to access and find out more.”

Councillor Charlotte Carlyle, Cabinet member for Education, Skills and Children and Young People said: “Building on the huge success of Skills Launchpad Plymouth’s Youth Hub and Adult Hub which support our local residents to connect with opportunities for skills, training, education, careers and jobs, I am really impressed that local employers are now able to tap into such a wealth of localised information, advice and guidance to better address their recruitment, skills and training needs.”

The Employer Hub is funded by the Interreg FCE C-Care project, delivered by The Plymouth Charter supporting Skills Launchpad Plymouth. For more information visit www. skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk/employer-hub.