West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce announce new plans to combat skills shortages

The move will bring together businesses, the public sector, universities, colleges and training providers, and aim to deliver a skills agenda that meets the needs of the economies of West and North Yorkshire.

Funded by the Department for Education, the plan aims to put the voice of local employers at the centre of the learning and skills system.

Martin Hathaway, managing director of Mid-Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “For years businesses have been lamenting the paucity of skill levels in our workforce.

“Now we have an historic opportunity to empower our workforces and employers with the tools they need to thrive in a modern economy.

“Now is your chance to be part of this journey and we look forward to working with you to deliver this vision.”

The Local Skills Improvement Plan is being administered jointly by both the West & North Yorkshire and Mid-Yorkshire Chambers of Commerce, who are now calling for both the private and educational sectors to step forward and join the programme

The group hopes to give both young people entering the workforce, and those already in employment, the skills and tools needed to play a “full role in the region’s economy,” as well as delivering “a demand-led agenda that will help transform the region’s workforce by making skills provision and education more attuned to the needs of the region’s economy.”

Recent figures have shown that skills shortages have continually topped the priority list for businesses and public organisations of various sizes across the region.

Statistics published by the British Chamber of Commerce this year also showed that 65 per cent of the service sector and 79 per cent of manufacturing firms experienced difficulties in identifying and acquiring the right candidates.

Figures from the Learning and Work Institute (L&W) show that the UK skills shortage will cost the country £120 billion by 2030.

James Mason, chief executive of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Even prior to the pandemic, businesses have been struggling to find the best talent to drive their firms forward. This has kept productivity low and hampered growth.

“We now want to become the convening point that brings together both the educational and employment sector to begin discussing how we can deliver a skills agenda that is both designed and delivered here in Yorkshire to meet our own needs.

“We want to hear from as many voices as possible so do not miss out on your chance to be part of this new era for the region’s economy.”

Justin Kerslake, operations director for Bradford-based manufacturer Christeyns UK, added: "As a longstanding manufacturing business in Bradford, Christeyns understands the need for quality, local training to upskill its workforce.

“We are committed to providing training opportunities for all our staff and recognise that our employees are our main asset and the future of the business.

“The company sees the industrial landscape being transformed daily by digitalisation and the reinvention of processes to meet the essential sustainability agenda.

“In order to remain competitive, we need a workforce that is ahead of the game and future ready.

"We are encouraged that the chamber has been awarded this contract which will help young people gain the skills they need to make choices and further their own careers, whilst supporting the growth of our local businesses and the prosperity of the region.”