6 minute read
business matters
Secretary of State designates Sussex Chamber to deliver Local Skills Improvement Plan across Sussex
Sussex Chamber of Commerce are delighted to announce that they have been chosen to lead the development and delivery of the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) for Brighton and Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex.
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Following the successful development of the Trailblazer LSIP for Sussex, published in April 2022, the Chamber have now been designated as the Employer Representative Body to take forward the LSIP for Sussex, as they are rolled out across the country.
Skills shortages are regularly highlighted by businesses as a key recruitment issue, and LSIPs, funded by the Department for Education, aim to put the voice of local employers at the heart of the learning and skills system to build a stronger, more dynamic partnership between employers and education providers. It is hoped this will allow provision to be more responsive to the skills needs of employers in the Sussex labour market.
Sussex Chamber Chief Executive, Ana Christie, said “This designation provides us with the exciting opportunity to continue the work started during the LSIP Trailblazer and bring together employers, training providers and other key stakeholders across Sussex to continue to respond to the skills priorities and solutions identified within our LSIP report and the associated Future Skills Sussex Improvement Framework”.
The Chamber is one of 32 Accredited Chambers of Commerce which will lead LSIPs across the country, supported by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).
Jane Gratton, from the BCC, said: “We are delighted that so many Accredited Chambers have been designated by the Secretary of State. The Chamber Network will use its convening power and deep knowledge of their local economies and communities to develop clear plans to address skills challenges faced by businesses. Chambers will bring together local businesses, training providers and a broad range of stakeholders to identify the skills needed to increase opportunities and enable economic growth for the benefit of everyone in the community. This is an opportunity for employers to shape how their current and future workforce can access the right training to thrive in the modern, more digital and greener workplace. More than 10,000 businesses were engaged in the eight Chamber-led trailblazers. Building on this learning and success, we will ensure that planning for local skills is aligned with the job opportunities and growth ambitions of employers. An efficient, network approach will enable the sharing of best practice to boost outcomes for people wherever they live, work and train. Closing the skills gap across all regions and sectors will help build all communities, and we are proud to see, once again, Accredited Chambers at the heart of local growth”.
For further information please contact Claire Witz, Skills Project Director at
skills@sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
or visit sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk/
Education%20Skills
Jack the Lad joins the team, full time
The LoveLocalJobs Foundation C.I.C. is ecstatic to announce that radio’s very own Jack ‘The Lad’ Hayes will be joining them on a full-time basis.
Christina Fishlock
Head of Community Programmes LoveLocal Jobs
Jack has been working with the Foundation since 2019, delivering inspiring talks and mentoring sessions with students in the Sussex area. Their Dare to Dream programme visits local schools with the intention of spreading positivity and engaging with the students to encourage them to be their best possible selves, personally and professionally.
Dare to Dream starts with Jack delivering an inspirational assembly for an entire year group including teachers, and mentors from a supporting employer. Focusing on topics that could be affecting the students, such as happiness, low self-esteem, belief and relationships, Jack encourages them to identify their own barriers and helps them find ways to overcome them. Then, alongside volunteers from local businesses, the Dare to Dream programme offers workshops, 1-2-1 mentoring sessions, and workplace experiences with selected underengaged and educationally disadvantaged students, helping to motivate their progression. With Jack joining the team full time, this will allow him to spend more quality time on the programme interactions throughout each day, helping to change the way young people see themselves, their dreams, and their understanding of their undoubted ability. This is a new and exciting chapter for both Jack and the Foundation, with Jack saying; “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the foundation team on a full-time basis and to be able to offer so much more of my time and myself to the work we do. Coming off the back of such a tremendous year just gone I am really chomping at the bit to get back into schools this academic year and deliver Dare to Dream to even more students across the south and change even more young lives as we encourage the next generation to dream, to believe and to go and show the world just how brilliant they are.”
For those of you that have followed Jack’s incredible radio journey and may be feeling a little glum at the idea of his voice not starting your day anymore, fear not. Jack will still be gracing your airwaves on the More Radio breakfast show periodically throughout the week, and all morning on a Friday.
Free Mental Health Talk
Is the mental health of your staff at the top of your agenda? Is mental health a subject that needs normalising within your company?
As a member of the Sussex chamber, we are offering you a free one-hour mental health talk to your company.
Get in touch to discuss what aspect of mental health you’d like to hear about.
07976 957 044 www.onyoursidetherapy.com
Runway Training’s fully funded courses are available to all Sussex Chamber of Commerce members:
1. Equality and Diversity 2. CSCS
3. Leadership and Management 4. Digital Marketing
5. Mental Health First Aid
Feeling unsure, confused, uncertain about what to do?
We are in confusing times and business owners know they should be taking action but are not sure what that is. As business coaches and consultants we help provide some clarity and guidance to get you back on track.
During this time every we should be supporting each other, as such we are offering any Chamber member a free 1 hour coaching session (phone or video only).
www.catandra.co.uk/contact
10% discount on all our courses and training events for other Chamber of Commerce members.
01903 778977 or 07734993260 www.teamskills.co.uk 1-2-1 Mentoring – 20% Discount
Sessions can be delivered face to face or on-line (or a combination of both.)
The initial session usually has a psychometric element and is charged at £250 - £350 depending on what is required. Members are offered this is at just the cost of the testing - £95
On-going One-2-One mentoring sessions are then offered to Sussex Chamber members at £160 (instead of £200) when three or more sessions are bought and paid for upfront. Quote: Sussex Chamber 20.
www.janetwebbconsulting.co.uk
The MBA partnership scheme offers significant fee support of between £8,000 to £15,000 to you and your employees.
Our aim is to facilitate and develop mutually beneficial partnerships between local and regional businesses and the Business School that support your talent development programme, add to your current and future leader’s training, and provide input from your company back into the MBA and the wider Business School.
