Employers invited to check and challenge research into skills plan

Hannah Crookes, Manager of the HEY LSIP, says employer feedback is vital.

A PARTNERSHIP set up by the government to tackle skills shortages will next week reveal the responses from businesses to a survey of their training and recruitment priorities.

The team behind the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Partnership (LSIP) are urging employers, training providers and stakeholders to attend the event regardless of whether they took part in the survey, which attracted hundreds of responses.

Hannah Crookes, Manager of the LSIP, said: “The survey was just the start of our research into the experiences of the region’s businesses when it comes to recruiting and training their workers.

“We followed that with a series of face-to-face events across East Yorkshire and we are in the process of analysing the responses now. We will present the findings when we bring together employers, training providers and stakeholders for an update on the LSIP plan and we will also take that opportunity to consult further, particularly with people who didn’t get a chance to respond to the survey.”

The government has introduced 38 LSIPs nationwide and appointed various business support organisations to drive the initiative. Chambers of Commerce are leading 32 of the new bodies but the LSIPs are open to all businesses, regardless of whether they are members of any business organisation, and the HEY LSIP is also working closely with neighbouring LSIPs across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

The feedback will help the LSIP identity the top priorities and the main business sectors for skills development in the region. That process will also help the LSIP team complete the make-up of its board, with several places still to be allocated to reflect the key sectors.

Hannah said: “Employer feedback has been vital in the development of our Local Skills Improvement Plan, and we are urging people to attend the event to check and challenge the findings and ensure we have interpreted business views accurately.”

The event will take place on Monday 13 March from midday until 2pm at the Mercure Grange Park Hotel, Willerby. Lunch will be provided. To register email Hannah at H.Crookes@hull-humber-chamber.co.uk