BUSINESSNEWS
FACING UP TO REALITY - LOOKING LONGER-TERM AT THE RECRUITMENT CRISIS The Development Manager (TDM), a Worcestershire-based Tech and Digital Training Provider is urging organisations to look beyond just recruitment to address their capacity and skills needs, and employ longer-term strategies to face up to the wider challenges related to workforce demographics, future-proofed skills and the regional and national economies, these being: A national crisis where competition is fierce for available recruits across sectors and roles at all levels An existing workforce where the vast majority will still be employed for years to come Stagnant skills development and progression opportunities for employees, and challenges retaining current workers A lack of opportunities offered for career beginners and investment in the local population to create social mobility Changing skills needs and job roles driven by new technologies TDM recommends organisations employ a longer term view of their development and skills needs. This can be done by considering available tech to digitally transform and facilitate growth, ensure existing staff are developed /upskilled or are redeployed/ reskilled to support retention and ensure important skills remain in the organisation, and support the career entry of local people via Apprenticeships and available qualifications. Digital transformation approaches organisations can consider include the use of productivity software (e.g. Teams), growing sales through effective digital marketing, implementing internal tech support, making more effective use of data, developing bespoke solutions via coding and implementing wider ranging digital solutions, linking key systems together such as websites, databases and CRMs. Yet these technologies are useless without the requisite skills to properly implement them. The best news for employers is the substantial amount of Government funding available in the form of Adult Education to attain first tech qualifications and apprenticeships all the way up to Level 6 integrated Degrees designed for both new recruits and existing employees.
WCG PRESENTED WITH PRESTIGIOUS PRIZE IN ROYAL CEREMONY for more than 25 years and has seen its engineering apprentice numbers grow from 40 in 1996 to 1,195 in 2021. The group now delivers engineering courses at three of its colleges including Warwick Trident College, Rugby College and Evesham College.
His Royal Highness Prince Charles and Her Royal Highness Princess Anne have presented leading college group WCG with a prestigious prize which recognises its pioneering work in developing future engineers. WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group) was presented with The Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in a ceremony at St James’s Palace. The prize, which was first announced in November 2021, is in recognition of the college’s work in the engineering sector over the last quarter of a century. WCG is the only college from the Midlands to be recognised among the 2020-2022 winners, one of 21 winning universities and colleges from across the UK with only five other colleges receiving this accolade. Angela Joyce, CEO of WCG, was joined by Peter Manford, Chairman, Chris White, Vice Chairman, Peter Husband, Group Principal, Alan May, Director of Apprenticeships and three engineering apprentices at the ceremony. The ceremony followed the prize winner’s dinner at London’s Guildhall the previous evening, which celebrated the achievements of all the winners of this year’s awards. WCG has been a trailblazer for employer-centric engineering provision
Angela Joyce said that it was an ‘incredibly proud day’ for the college and that the group strives to continue to lead the way in the delivery of education provision in the engineering sector. “We have been looking forward to this moment since we were told we had won the prize in November and it was an incredibly proud day for everyone associated with WCG,” Angela said. “The ceremony was a great opportunity to speak with leaders from across the education sector and we were proud to represent the Midlands and showcase WCG’s pioneering approach to engineering training. “The Government’s latest skills strategy has sought to put employers at the forefront in the development of post-16 education, but this is something we have been doing at WCG for more than a quarter of a century. “This award celebrates the dedication of the engineering staff team at Warwick Trident, Evesham and Rugby colleges, but also reflects an approach to working with employers that we take right across our colleges in Warwickshire and Worcestershire. “Despite winning this prestigious prize, we won’t rest on our laurels and will continue to innovate with our engineering training provision. It’s vital that our provision continues to react to the ever-changing needs of industry and we will continue to work with our network of employers to ensure that remains the case.”
LOCAL APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROVIDER HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE GROUP TRAINING ASSOCIATION SECURE EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND MONIES FOR A ‘SKILLS FOR WORCESTERSHIRE’ PROJECT HWGTA are committed to delivering the best outcomes possible for young people in Worcestershire and recently secured funding from the European Social Fund (partnered with Worcestershire County Council) which will help to support over 300 young people aged 15-24 into training or employment as part of the ‘Skills for Worcestershire’ Project. HWGTA specialise in apprenticeships in Engineering, Accountancy, Business Administration, Leadership & Management and Customer Service. At HWGTA, we have a state of the art, all singing, all dancing, engineering workshop which provides a fantastic learning environment for students. In addition, there are several well-equipped classrooms for our classroom-based courses and top-quality tutors and support staff.
Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
Did you know? You get paid and employed whilst you study as an apprentice. All HWGTA’s apprenticeships are nationally recognised. Different course lengths are available. HWGTA offer other short courses if an apprenticeship isn’t what you’re looking for. Are you keen to know more? Visit www.hwgta.org Get in touch at info@hwgta or call 01905 729993
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