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Work and Skills Board Launch, 7 March 2007
The 7th March saw Sheffield First Partnership's launch of a new employer led Work and Skills Board to respond to the skills gap between employers and the city’s workforce. Government statistics predict by 2020 that there will be as few as 600,000 so called ‘walk in jobs’ nationally - those that need little or no skills and training, falling from 8 million in 2000.
The Board’s aims are to give employers a real say on how local skills programmes can be made more responsive to their needs, to improve employability and raise skills levels in Sheffield
The board was launched with presentations from Fiona Blacke of the Learning and Skills Council, Denise Horsfall from Job Centre Plus and Sir Robert Kerslake, Sheffield City Council. Over 60 major employers from across the city attended to find out more about the board’s aims and how they can further engage and get involved in future plans.
The Work and Skills board will be made up of employers, including representatives from many of Sheffield’s major employers, the Chamber of Commerce, Trade Unions, Voluntary, Community and Faith members, the City Council, Jobcentre Plus and the Learning and Skills Council. It is chaired by John Bradley, a regional director of the Kier Group.
Some of the main issues raised at the launch included that:
- Sheffield’s employment rate is currently four per cent below the national average and over a quarter of the population are economically inactive.
- In the past, people claiming incapacity benefits, lone parents and black and ethnic minorities have found it difficult to access the jobs market and there are a high proportion of adults with no formal qualifications.
- 72 per cent of the people in Sheffield without jobs are not ready for employment.
- 21 per cent of vacancies across South Yorkshire are unfilled due to skills shortages.
Jane Brown, Director of Sheffield First Partnership said “The Work and Skills board will play a major role in Sheffield, linking the supply of skills to local business demands and helping people to get back into work or move on to the next level, thus improving not only the workforce, but also the quality of life for many local people.”
- The board will develop a three year plan called Skilled in Sheffield which will bring together employers, public agencies and the voluntary, community and faith sector to plan and organise high impact measures with strong support from Government, the Learning Skills Council and Job Centre Plus.
- Employers will benefit by having a real influence over policies to help deliver a better skilled workforce that will impact positively on the bottom line.
- The Work and Skills board want to draw on employers’ expertise and energy in shaping the local work and skills agenda and employers are also being asked to contribute relevant jobs and training opportunities as part of the board’s programme.
Employers wishing to get involved or find out more information please contact dee.desgranges@sheffield.gov.uk or eve.waite@sheffield.gov.uk