CHAMBERS LEAD ‘GAME-CHANGING’ MOVE TO SOLVE REGION’S SKILLS CRISIS

Businesses in the West Midlands are being placed at the heart of skills provision in the region in what is being described as a “game-changing shift” to help solve the skills crisis.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce have been selected by the Department for Education to lead on the region’s Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).

LSIPs have been designed by Government to put employers at the centre of the skills system in their region and to build a stronger, more dynamic partnership between employers and further education providers.

It will mean skills provision can be more responsive to the local labour market needs.

The Chambers across the West Midlands will now carry out a detailed research exercise – including online surveys, roundtable events, telephone calls and one-to-one meetings with employers.

Crucially, that research will go beyond Chamber membership and will include businesses affiliated to other representative organisations in the region as well as companies that are not members of a business body.

It will result in a report that identifies the true needs of employers in the region and will set out a plan to work with education and skills providers to help deliver provision that businesses require.

That report will remain ‘live’ so that shifting needs are identified and addressed.

Henrietta Brealey (pictured), chief executive of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “The fourth industrial revolution is fundamentally changing the way in which we live, work and do business. The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s involvement in this programme is a great opportunity for us to inform and shape provision linked to digital transformation – with, and on behalf of, the local business community.

“We look forward to working with our neighbouring Chambers of Commerce, local stakeholders and educators to deliver a meaningful plan, incorporating and building on the significant work already underway to upskill talent across the region.”