Harworth Group plc’s Post

In opposition, Labour stated, “Britain stands at the precipice of immense change. That change presents incredible opportunity”(https://lnkd.in/eib-CbZ7) highlighting the UK lags-behind on business investment and productivity. Reforming skills is a key component of Labours' plans for a new Industrial Strategy, a reflection from them, and through the Chamber’s own work leading Local Skills Improvement Plans (https://lnkd.in/eTdkuUYE), on an acute awareness of the skills shortages facing businesses. During next weeks Windsor Debates, we will discuss the skills and productivity challenge and offer practical insights on how the skills system can work better for workers and employers. And, with reform to the apprenticeships levy tabled, what are the skills fundamental to employment and helping young people leave education ready for work and life? #WindsorDebates #SkillsImprovement #FutureOfWork #SkillsForLife #EconomicOpportunity #WorkforceDevelopment #SkillsShortages #IndustrialChange #LabourPlans #LocalSkillsImprovement

If you are interested in how economic growth might be delivered and/or improving skills in the UK then it’s worth keeping alongside the emergence of Skills England. First implementation report published this week. There is much to be valued: - the continuing emphasis on employer-informed demand, complemented by more input from other actors; - clarifying and cohering priorities to facilitate a single plan; - the linkage with funding, and the Growth and Skills levy in particular; - and the aspiration to coordinate across the UK. Perhaps fine tuning to come around decision making and how IfATE’s functions will be delivered going forward, but a good departure point with regard to improving how skills-demand is determined in England, as well as now for contributions from other key sector stakeholders. To achieve the growth and opportunity mission ambitions, we will also need to focus on all aspects of the supply side of the equation, including: - advice and support to prospective learners and apprentices, whether in work or education; getting everyone on a programme that genuinely matches their talents, ambitions and work prospects. - and all aspects of educational-provision - as we have seen in apprenticeships and T Levels there are significant difficulties for an employer-led system when demand-ambition out-strips supply, including that of the Awarding Organisations that design qualifications and assess them. Vital that we take an integrated and sector-wide approach if the skills and FE sector is to deliver to its potential and fuel growth across the UK.

Helpful analysis from Rob here …

The city’s change leaders are convening at #LAIN’s Conference 2024 this morning - their vision, leadership and commitment to creating a fairer, greener, more prosperous London for all is inspiring. Discussions for the day focussed on; accelerating plans to achieve net zero, developing fresh ideas for buying more from smaller and diverse businesses, connecting council services, healthcare providers and training to close the gaps on local NHS employment and understanding the barriers to working parents caused by childcare. Members of LAIN are from across the public, private, faith-based, education and cultural sectors. The network, convened by the Mayor in 2021, is tasked with working together towards shared goals addressing London’s long-standing social, economic inequalities and the growing climate emergency. It's been 12 months since we last met all together and it was nice to be able to celebrate our collective impact and achievements, including: - A commitment to spend more than £1.75bn contracts signed with micro, small and medium-sized businesses within two years, exceeding the group’s original goal of achieving £1.17bn of spend over a 3 to 5 year period; - Living wage commitments uplifting over 7,200 staff’s pay; - Transferring over £2m in apprenticeship levy to small and medium sized businesses so they can create apprenticeships; - Over 4,000 apprentices supported by anchor institutions; - Over 5,200 staff trained in carbon literacy or environmental sustainability, ensuring organisations understand the specific threats to London and their own organisations, embedding a sense of collective responsibility to reduce their carbon footprint; - Saved over 2.1M tonnes of carbon emissions since 2021 through new infrastructure, retrofits and changes to operations. The scale of impact we can achieve when we work together is HUGE! Thanks to our guest speakers Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business, Professor Wendy Thomson CBE and Martin Machray, Co-Chairs of #LAIN, Antonia Jennings (MC for the day), Niran Mothada and Peter Slee #LondonAnchors #BetterTogther #ConnectInspireAction

🌟 Market Insights for Talent Executives in Further Education (Yorkshire & North East) 🌟 As a Talent Executive in the Further Education sector, I’ve gained valuable insights into the dynamic landscape of education and skills development. Let’s dive into the specifics: Industry Trends: Further Education (FE) institutions play a pivotal role in shaping the workforce of tomorrow. With a focus on vocational qualifications, apprenticeships, and higher education, FE colleges are essential hubs for skill-building and career advancement. The FE sector is witnessing increased collaboration with employers, emphasizing practical skills, employability, and lifelong learning. Challenges and Opportunities: Skills Gap: Bridging the gap between education and industry demands remains a priority. Talent Executives must align programs with local employers’ needs. Digital Transformation: Embracing technology is crucial. From e-learning platforms to virtual classrooms, the FE sector is evolving rapidly. Inclusivity and Diversity: Promoting equal access to education and fostering diverse talent pipelines are critical goals. Yorkshire & North East Insights: Regional Strengths: Yorkshire and the North East boast vibrant communities, strong employer networks, and a rich history of educational excellence. Local Partnerships: Collaborating with businesses, local authorities, and community organizations enhances student outcomes. Skills Clusters: Industries like healthcare, engineering, and creative arts thrive here, creating exciting opportunities for talent development. My Role as a Talent Executive: Relationship Building: Forge strong connections with employers, understanding their workforce needs and tailoring programs accordingly. Lifelong Learning Advocacy: Encourage continuous learning, upskilling, and reskilling for both students and professionals. Innovation: Stay abreast of industry trends, championing innovative teaching methods and career pathways. 🚀 Let’s empower learners, bridge gaps, and shape a brighter future together! Feel free to connect and share your insights. 🤝 #FurtherEducation #TalentDevelopment #Yorkshire #NorthEast Thomas B.

Our Chair, Dame Julie Mellor, has outlined a four-point action plan for the next government to address the UK’s skills challenges and create a future-ready workforce. 💼 In an exclusive article for FE News, Julie sets out an action plan for change and The Skills Federation's vision to address the UK's skills challenge which includes:   - A national industrial strategy prioritising growth-critical skills.  - Transforming workforce development with a more flexible apprenticeship system.  - Sector-specific approaches tailored to diverse industry needs.  - An improved, cohesive careers strategy for all ages. Read the full article to explore how we can build a resilient, responsive skills system that drives economic growth and helps us respond positively to technological advancements and meet net-zero targets. 👇 https://lnkd.in/eRyud2Gc

I'd recommend a read of this article from Julie Mellor, chair of the Skills Federation. It sets out our thinking on what's needed to address the current skills challenges. I'm getting into the swing of my new role and if you're interested in knowing more about what we're working on, please do get in touch.

Exciting times ahead with the launch of Skills England! The Prime Minister and Education Secretary have just announced a significant re-brand to unify the skills landscape and boost the nation’s skills. With Richard Pennycook CBE as the interim Chair, we’re set to create a more strategic and collaborative skills system. Skills shortages doubled between 2017 and 2022, making up 36% of job vacancies. Skills England aims to address these gaps and reduce reliance on overseas workers, opening up new opportunities for young people and enabling British businesses to recruit more home-grown talent. This rebrand comes at a perfect time for some educational leaders and organisations still viewing university as the only pathway to success. It’s crucial to recognise that apprenticeships and vocational training can offer equally if not more, rewarding career opportunities. I look forward to embracing this transformation and to a more skilled, robust, and dynamic workforce in the UK. #SkillsEngland #Apprenticeships #EarlyCareers #EconomicGrowth #FutureSkills #AlternativePathways https://lnkd.in/eJB-_p7j

📊 Can Skills England Fix Our Broken Skills System?📊 The new Labour government's ambitious plan to overhaul the UK's skills landscape is generating buzz and skepticism in equal measure, as covered in this insightful FE Week article - https://lnkd.in/eUrASvUg 🔑 Key Points: 🔸 Skills England aims to unite employers, unions, providers, universities, and local government. 🔸 It will oversee a broader remit than its predecessor, the IfATE (Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education). 🔸 The body will align skills needs with the government's industrial strategy. 💬 Expert Quotes: "Skills England will have to demonstrate that it isn't just another part of the furniture getting in the way of a sector that already feels quite overburdened." - Tom Bewick, Skills Policy Researcher "There's real discussion needed about how long its arms are. I hope the vision is for something that works across government, really brings people together, and has the authority to decide which horses we're backing in the economy." - Anonymous Department for Education Source "Where are they going to bring in new people with new ideas and new ways of working if they're just transferring in existing staff?" - Susan Pember, HOLEX "I am nervous that the requirement for better coordination across the system has been met by the creation of not one, but three new potentially competing coordinating bodies." - Ben Rowland, AELP "It will require a senior leadership team with a combination of education, public service and some industry skills." - Tom Bewick "If you're endlessly closing down and setting up institutions, things won't ever really change." - Lesley Giles, former UK Commission for Employment & Skills deputy director 🚩 Challenges: 🔹 Avoiding bureaucratic centralization 🔹 Maintaining longevity (past quangos averaged 7-8 years) 🔹 Securing cross-governmental influence 🔹 Balancing various stakeholder interests 💡 Opportunities: 🔹 Ending the binary divide between FE and HE 🔹 Reshaping partnerships in the sector 🔹 Prioritizing spending to fill the biggest skills gaps The success of Skills England will depend on its ability to learn from past failures, secure real influence across government, and deliver tangible results in a complex and evolving skills landscape. What are your thoughts on this new initiative? Can Skills England succeed where others have failed? 🤔 #SkillsEngland #UKSkills #earnandlearn #WorkforceDevelopment #EducationPolicy

Okanagan College is proud to be recognized as one of BC's Top Employers (2024). For staff at Okanagan College, having a job in a place where there is a strong sense of connection to community, a commitment to ongoing professional development, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students are just some of the reasons they’re proud to be part of OC. “The community OC has is unreal,” said Douglas Noble, Chair, Motor Vehicle Trades. “We have amazing instructors, amazing students.” “The existing relationships are also what makes it unique; this is truly a community college,” added Karmen Krahn, Vocational Instructor with the Human Service Work program. Noble, Krahn and several more OC staff are featured in a new video launched today, as Okanagan College is for the first time recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers (2024). “Okanagan College is an incredibly special place, where people from diverse backgrounds can come together with the sole purpose of transforming lives of individual students,” said Neil Fassina, OC president. “We’re a values-based organization where people are able to leverage their strengths, and together, we can also transform communities.” BC’s Top Employers (2024) were revealed earlier this morning in a news release and special magazine co-published by the Vancouver Sun and Mediacorp Canada Inc., organizers of the annual Canada’s Top 100 Employers project. The project looks for employers with innovative programs to attract and retain talented employees. Read the full story here https://lnkd.in/gn2mCGTc #OkanaganCollege #BCtopEmployers #CommunityCollege #ProfessionalDevelopment #TransformingLives #VocationalInstructor #MotorVehicleTrades #HumanServiceWork #InnovativeEmployers #CanadaTop100