Member Article

Skills shortage falls to us all

The skills storage: it is not the responsibility of a few; it is the responsibility of us all.

Wednesday 13 February 2013, Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham.

Companies have been urged to take a more active role in the development of the future workforce of the process sector, or face potentially damaging skills shortages across the regions.

Speaking at the Annual NEPIC Skills Conference James Ramsbotham, North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) Chairman, outlined the importance of a healthy skills ethos amongst companies, stating that the current skills storages could ‘put the supply chain at threat’.

With recent research suggesting that over 8,500 skilled people across the Northeast will be retiring from the engineering sector before 2016, considerable danger is being posed to the industry, with many companies reaching full capacity in their ability to recruit and deliver.

Highlighting the unacceptable record levels of youth unemployment, James enquired of the delegation if they were confident that they are doing enough to develop graduates and apprentices, as well as up-skilling their existing workforce.

Ramsbotham went on to encouraged companies to instil this message upon suppliers and posed the question as to whether we should engage in business with those that do not actively encourage skills development within their organisation.

A new initiative was also announced to praise those employers which are fully committed to skills development. Working through the North East Skills Alliance for Advanced Manufacturing employers, together with SEMTA, NECC, CBI, NAS and NEPIC, this regional campaign will be officially launched in March.

Commenting on the issue, James said: “The North East boasts some of the best parts of the UK economy and we’re fortunate to have such dedicated and successful businesses blazing a trail in the process, manufacturing and engineering sectors.

“However, it is not just the responsibility of our large firms and excellent schools, colleges and universities to ensure our future workforce is equipped with the requisite skills. This issue is something that we must address throughout the business community and while we have a plethora of large companies dedicated to apprenticeships and employee development, not enough is being done by the SMEs in regional supply chains to address the potentially serious skills shortage.

James continued: “Around 80% of our engineering firms do not have apprentices or are not engaged in the skills development agenda. It is vital that these companies explore the potential of recruiting apprentices – motivated learners who can be moulded to meet the needs of the individual business.

“I would urge all firms to consider apprenticeships. It is not only good for your business, it is also good for regional business.”

George Ritchie, Senior Vice President for HR with Sembcorp, NEPIC Skills Leader and a regional apprenticeship champion discussed employer ownership of skills, declaring that it is imperative that we ‘turn this ship around’.

Throughout the day delegates also heard from an array of support organisations detailing the services available to assist companies in the development a sustainable workforce for the future, surrounding apprentices, gradates, workforce development and management skills.

Speakers from a number of process sector companies also offered advice to the room, describing their individual experiences of running apprenticeship and graduates programme and outlining the benefits the company reaps from being actively involved in skills development.

Employers skills clinics run by Cogent Group and SEMTA where held throughout the day offering complimentary advice from the experts. This service was complimented by a host of exhibitors present from across the region displaying an array of training and education services available to companies.

Stan Higgins. NEPIC CEO commented: “We need all Northeast businesses to respond to this agenda and do their bit in both taking on apprentices and providing work placements for graduates. If they do this they will solve the skill shortage.

“By participating in the various skills schemes, companies can interface with some of the best young talent in the region, they then have the opportunity to recruit his talent.

He concluded: “If every technical business in this region took just one apprentice every couple of years, we would not have this problem looming ahead of us”.

Many thanks to all of the days presenters and supporters: James Ramsbothan (NECC), George Ritchie (SembCorp Utilities), Rob McBride (Cordell); Tony Prior (Technical Apprenticeship Service); Ian Muscroft (Jacobs Engineering); Allan Wallace (National Apprenticeship Service), Chris Mullen (Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies); Graham Henderson (Teesside University); Craig Hargreaves (SABIC); Ian Travers (Chemical Industries Strategy Unit); Ian Mains (NSAPI); Lindsay Middleton (SEMTA); Steve Barker (Aesica Pharmaceuticals); Libby Steele (IChemE) & Cliff Collis (Institute of Biology).

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Louise Gwynne-Jones .