Chambers of Commerce to help solve skills crisis
The Department for Education has selected three Chambers of Commerce across the West Midlands to lead on the region’s Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) to help solve the skills crisis.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and the Black Country Chamber of Commerce will research and create a report in order for the region to become more responsive to the local labour market needs.
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.
The Chamber’s will now carry out a detailed research exercise comprising of online surveys, roundtable events, telephone calls and one-to-one meetings with employers to create a report which identifies the needs of employers in the region.
From there, a plan will be made to work with education and skills providers to help deliver the provisions that businesses require.
Businesses not affiliated with the Chamber will also be included.
Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is a game-changing shift in the way we look at the skills need of the economy as it will put employers in the region at the centre of what is required and what is delivered.
“That provision has previously been decided by Whitehall but Government recognises that employers know what is needed and, through the Local Skills Improvement Plan, Chambers across the West Midlands will be diligently gathering the information and then presenting a report”.
Henrietta Brealey, 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.
“What’s important now is ensuring that we also engage a diverse range of business voices, from all sizes and sectors across the region to shape our research and inform the priorities of the plan.”
Neil Anderson, Director of External Affairs of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is a hugely positive and significant opportunity for the West Midlands. For too many years, those leading local firms have repeatedly emphasised a disconnect between skills policy and the needs of businesses.
“Building on the strength of the Chambers as connectors at the forefront of business sentiment, the research will provide powerful evidence for partners and decision-makers to ensure that businesses acquire talent with the right skills and build collaborations to power the region’s economy.”
