Chamber News

LSIP Status Announced for Sussex Chamber

Secretary of State designates Sussex Chamber to deliver Local Skills Improvement Plan across Sussex.

Sussex Chamber of Commerce is 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. Following the successful development of the Trailblazer LSIP for Sussex, published in April 2022, the Chamber has 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

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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

The Inclusive Employers Jobs Fair

Hannah Jackson, Membership and Marketing Manager at Brighton Chamber, explains how the event will help businesses find the skills and talent they need.

On 12 October,

Chamber News Brighton Chamber, Trust for Developing Communities and the Jobs Centre are organising The Inclusive Employer Jobs Fair at the Brighthelm Centre, to help local employers with job vacancies to find the skills and talent they need. The Jobs Fair will connect employers with those looking for work, including new arrivals from other countries in Brighton (including those from Ukraine).

How did it come about?

The Chamber team started joining weekly gatherings with the Network of International Women in May, meeting people arriving in the Brighton area from Ukraine, who are looking for work - offering practical support and to see if there are any ways that the Brighton business community could come together to help.

And one area that new arrivals need some extra support is finding employment. While some need help with English, many are work-ready and just need help finding the right employer.

Among those looking for work are lawyers, architecture graduates, project managers, language teachers – plus those with finance, IT, event management and software skills, or those who would like to work in hospitality.

So, over the past few months, alongside the help of Chamber members, and working with the Job Centre and charities like the Network of International Women, the Chamber team have been having conversations with local businesses about vacancies they have, and what they’re looking for.

How are we doing it?

Brighton Chamber has a large network of businesses, including Chamber members and employers who are signed up to the Brighton & Hove Living Wage Campaign. These span all sectors and size of company, and many are keen and able to help in various ways, from offering mentoring, work experience opportunities, or sharing job vacancies.

Whatever size or sector of employer you are, it’s always important to get the right person for the right jobs. It’s against this backdrop that the Chamber has started matching people with jobs – helping people from Ukraine and other refugees who are eligible to work, find work.

Through match-making of skills (where possible), involving support organisations to help with CV writing and interviews, and curating opportunities to bring employers and those looking for work together.

So what is the Inclusive Employers Jobs Fair, and what can your business do?

Making these connections between those looking for work, local employers, businesses and organisations supporting these groups has begun to gain momentum. Looking at more ways we can connect the local business community with people with English as an additional language who are looking for employment, Brighton Chamber has come together with Trust for Developing Communities and the Jobs Centre to organise The Inclusive Employers Jobs Fair on 12 October, at the Brighthelm Centre

It aims to create an opportunity to help local employers with job vacancies to find the skills and talent they want.

If you have a job vacancy you’d like us to share with this growing network, send an email to campaigns@

brightonchamber.co.uk

Special thanks for their support to: Michelle Westbury, Estelle Dingley, Sandra Murphy, Helen Vane, Emma Cleary, Hilary Ellis.