Partner Article

Dedicated HR forum for North East manufacturers

Skills shortages, employment law changes and staff retention will be amongst the topics discussed by North East manufacturers at a new HR discussion forum.

As part of an expansion of its services to members, the South Tyneside Manufacturing Forum has set up a dedicated forum to discuss employment, HR and workforce issues.

The inaugural HR Forum takes place at the Newcastle Quayside offices of Top 75 UK law firm Ward Hadaway on Tuesday April 29.

There representatives of South Tyneside Manufacturing Forum companies will meet to discuss hot topics including skills shortages, the effects of an ageing workforce and recent and forthcoming legislative changes designed to reduce the amount of employment litigation with presentations from guest speakers including Ward Hadaway employment partner Jamie Gamble.

There will also be a question and answer session to allow attendees to get guidance on current issues faced by their business and to share their experiences with other manufacturing companies.

Jack Hanwell, manufacturing sector development manager at South Tyneside Manufacturing Forum, said: “Workforce and HR issues are important for all of our members so we wanted to set up something where people could come along, discuss key issues, network and be updated on things like changes in employment law.

“The plan is to hold these events every quarter and to have one or two guest presenters at each meeting who can address some of these burning issues and contribute to the discussions.”

South Tyneside Manufacturing Forum is the largest organisation of its kind in the North East and currently has over 60 members across South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Sunderland, Northumberland, Newcastle and Gateshead.

Private sector-led, the Forum aims to bring together the opinions of the region’s manufacturers and engage with the wider business community to exchange ideas, advocate best practices, advance technology, network, educate and inspire change.

Ward Hadaway is an Associate Member of the Forum and has been involved with a number of events and initiatives set up by the organisation.

Jamie Gamble, employment partner at Ward Hadaway, said: “From our work with manufacturing companies and with the South Tyneside Manufacturing Forum, we know that HR and employment issues are of great importance to businesses across the sector so we are delighted to be playing our part in establishing this new forum.

“Hopefully this will enable South Tyneside Manufacturing Forum members to find out more about matters which most concern them and which can then feed through to their decision-making for the future direction of their companies.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ward Hadaway Law Firm .