People and Training

Skills gap in rural areas in the UK

Written by Haze Carver on 9 March 2023.

While skills gap is a big issue in many parts of the country, we rarely think of the whereabouts of these skills gap. Rural areas, for example, are one of the most impacted by skills gap and retention challenges.

There are many reasons for these issues including poor internet signals and rare to non-existent public transportation. All these commodities that big cities and wealthy areas have implemented already. So how can rural areas become more competitive for the workforce and retain their staff for longer? Are there any benefits that the rural population can benefit from?

In this article, we address the main issues about skills gap in the rural areas while listing the main benefits of investing for the future workforce.

Why are rural areas reporting skills gap?

According to the UK Parliament, rural areas find it hard to retain skills because of poor infrastructure, less attracting job offers and poor provision of essential services for keeping young people to live and work in rural areas.

Some of major limitations rural areas face are:

Limited range of job opportunities.
Poor connectivity & high-speed internet, limiting digital skills availability.
Transport and accessibility issues.
Relative importance of self-employment and small businesses.
Seasonalised / casualised labour markets meaning there is little incentive for investment in training.
Importance of informal networks in accessing employment.
Relatively low wage levels.

These facts alone are the main motivators for young & skilled individuals to move to bigger towns or cities where funding and investments are greater.

What are the reasons skilled individuals move to cities?

According to the Digital Education Resource Archive (DERA), much of rural employment is also concentrated in small firms which further limits opportunities for young people to upgrade their skills and take up training (line 76).

Ambitious skilled individuals will look to grow their careers within companies that offer trainings or position growth internally. Most rural areas are too limited with resources or accessibility, making it hard for them to grow their workforce and, therefore, their company.

The lack of training or upskilling in these rural companies also become a cause for skilled individual to move to cities. For the young people who look for apprenticeship or internal training find more opportunities and space within busier & wealthier areas.

Why do some rural areas do better than others?

According to webinar presenter Anupriya Misra, rural areas which have a wealthy local population or have products with strong global demand are likely to be high performing.

Some rural areas have better ground available for big companies needing surface to build their resources/warehouses (e.g. Amazon Central). This positive outcome help create local jobs and retain local skills. In that principle, some rural areas will do better than others in which can offer such flexibilities to global companies.

Living in Norfolk/Suffolk? Read what we are saying in LSIP Roadshow.

Benefits of improving skills gaps in rural areas

If the budget would allow it, investing in rural areas could prove beneficial for:

High-speed internet connectivity for digital skills:
With high-speed internet, employers would be able to attract digital skills. But this availability would also improve lifestyle to homes & families on a daily basis.
Offering local training & apprenticeship:
With improved public transportation, young individuals will be able to access companies’ locations and improve their skills for the benefit of the company. But improved transportation would also help the population in being more mobile within the rural areas.
More funding to help businesses expand in rural areas:
With more funding available for rural businesses creates more openings for skilled individuals to fill. And with increasing job availability, the greater the retention of skilled workers.

In a nutshell

Living in rural areas can have several benefits and positive impact on a lifestyle. But when it comes to work and retaining young adults in the workplace, it may be a different challenge.

The main challenges rural areas face to retain skilled workforce are poor internet connectivity, lack of public transportation, low number of openings and lack of training available for upskilling existing employees.

Some of these pain points may be answered by levelling the company’s offerings (salary, training, etc) or by getting more help from the government and education. Some rural areas are struggling financially and cannot afford to upgrade their areas for better connectivity or more transportation.

The young workforce is more and more moving to big cities where investments are promising employee growth and where skills are in demand. But there are great benefits in investing in rural areas such as retaining the young workforce and upgrading the local economy.

LSIP | Act now. Future-proof your workforce Complete our online free survey to make your voice heard. At Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, we have a team of experts that can help you figure out your business’ roadblocks.

Find the Employer Survey here: https://form.jotform.com/223474490001043

Norfolk Chambers Podcast | with Joe Mills, Managing Director | The Tree Academy

Written by Haze Carver on 3 March 2023.

We are pleased to welcome Joe Mills, Managing Director of The Tree Academy.

Joe has dedicated her career to understanding the elusive strands of what it means to be human; how we can lead more fulfilling lives, be better leaders, create environments people want to work in and run more successful businesses.

The Tree Academy brings together her belief in people’s ability to improve with her vast experience in the ‘people sphere’. Partnering people and organisations who need help establishing, enhancing and refocusing their approach, she creates uniquely practical solutions.

She describes her ability to see businesses as complete and single systems, much like a tree. “To design and ‘plant’ solutions with a life-time value, it’s critical for me to understand the ‘whole’ environment, how everything connects and responds. My mind quickly grasps and holds vast amounts of information, enabling me to distil and bring to life my clear and innovative plans. Solutions in isolation will only ever be temporary fixes and more damaging in the long-term”.

I also found out she enjoys ‘prescribing’ books as part of her coaching and mentoring approach. “As humans we connect to stories in a powerful way and at times I see someone’s need to shift their thinking with what I call my ‘sideways’ approach. As I read and listen to a huge amount of books, I have many to call on”!

Joe began making incredible videos during the height of the Covid Pandemic, which we shared and you can view on The Norfolk Knowledge Hub, as well as The Tree Academy’s new YouTube channel.

“My belief in people and their ability to improve themselves and their businesses drives me. It takes empathy, tenacity, skill, experience and a huge amount of my life. I wouldn’t have it any other way”.

You can contact Joe on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemills1/ and at joe@joe-mills

Joe has recently become a Co.next Mentor – to find out more about Co.next, our programme supporting Norfolk’s under 35s and to get involved, click hereAudio Player

LSIP | Join our free events across Norfolk and Suffolk

Written by Haze Carver on 8 February 2023.

The LSIP Roadshow events are happening across Norfolk and Suffolk – join us in the heart of Norwich.

What is the LSIP programme?

We want you as a business to have a bigger say in what skills are needed in the workplace for today, tomorrow and the future.

The Norfolk and the Suffolk Chambers of Commerce is working with the Department for Education (DfE) to put employers at the heart of the skills agenda with the launch of the Norfolk and Suffolk Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP.)

Why should I get involved?

You want to increase the growth of your business.
You want your team to have the skills they need to be engaged, empowered and moving forwards.
It’s vital to retain the talent within your business.
You want to attract the right people, for culture, for growth and for success.

We are engaging with businesses of all sizes, stakeholders, colleges, training providers and universities to enable a more responsive and collaborative approach to the development of the local workforce.

What’s the event about?

We’re hosting a series of breakfast events that will be across Norfolk and Suffolk, for you to come and discuss keys areas of the LSIP programme, and what it can bring to your workforce, we will be talking about Skills, Wellbeing, Training, Retention.

Enjoy some morning networking over bacon rolls, tea and coffee with local businesses to discuss and highlight the skills gaps, issues and successes you are experiencing.

We want to engage and meet with local businesses of all sizes to enable a more responsive and collaborative approach to the development of the local workforce.

This session will be led by the LSIP Project Manager Dean Pierpoint.

Event Agenda

Arrival from 8am – Networking with tea, coffee and Bacon Rolls (dietary requirements will be catered for)

8.30am – Welcome from Dean Pierpoint

8.35am – Council Representative

8.45am – Presentation on LSIP

9.00am – Challenge for the Roundtable

9.10am – Fact Finding

9.20am – Skills Conversation

9.40am – Presentation from our Strategic Partners, Turning Factor

10.00am – Event close

What happen next?

Over the coming months, we will be conducting Employer Engagement surveys, telephone interviews, opportunities for 1-2-1 discussions, focus groups and events.

Our LSIP Board is now in place to provide direction, oversight, and review of the development of an effective LSIP for the region, the first meeting took place yesterday, 17th January and was a huge success in steering the programme forward.

You can view the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce programme of events across Suffolk here

Venue: The Maids Head Hotel 20 Tombland Norwich NR3 1LB

Start Date / Time: 22/02/2023 8:00 am

End Date / Time: 22/02/2023 9:30 am

Member Rate: FreeBook Now

https://norfolkchambers.co.uk/chamber_event_topics/lsip/

Main impact businesses see from skills gaps

Written by Haze Carver on 8 February 2023.

Have you ever wondered if your business could sustain itself without the right people? Considered outsourcing personnel to close the skills gaps within your company? Have your employees experienced a drop in morale due to gaps in your workforce?

Skills shortages can have a major and wide-ranging influence on people and organisations. When you have a discrepancy between the skills present in the workforce and the skills needed for the job, then skills gaps arise.

The consequences of this soon become apparent. It can impair an individual’s ability to advance in their job and result in lower productivity and competitiveness. Additionally, organisations may have trouble finding and keeping top employees, which could result in missed business opportunities and workload increase for existing employees.

We’ve listed below the most common impacts businesses experience with skills gap.

#1 – Slow business growth

Not having the right people or talent in place could slow the growth of your business, or see you struggle to deliver your service or product to the expected standards. Which, in turn, impacts your revenue and expectations when it comes to your business ambition. This can create doubt within your workforce in the future of the company, leading to drop in motivation or need for a change in career.

#2 – Struggling to meet delivery expectations

Maintaining your business’ services when there’s a skill gap can be a slippery slope to failure. Staff turnover or difficulties to keep up with the demand can also be factors in a skills shortage. Technology, demand, and processes evolve all the time, and it can be challenging to keep your staff up to date or evolve their positions to meet new demands.

#3 – Difficulty in competing

If your business is in a competitive industry, you’ll find that skill shortage can put you in a difficult position against your competitors. While some companies can invest in internal training or in the right talents, this may not be true for all businesses.

#4 – Depending too much on outsourcing

Outsourcing came be a great solution for your business, but if your operations depend heavily on this, it can lead to an unnecessary stress on both your team and your clients. There are cases where some businesses are nervous taking on new contracts or feel in a vulnerable position because they can’t rely on outsourcing or feel limited with costs and availability.

#5 – Workload and stress increase within the workplace

When your resources are limited within your business, you may find yourself giving your existing employees more work. In turn, this can increase stress within the workplace with the potential to impact staff morale and increase dissatisfaction.

#6 – Can’t attract or retain the right talent

Sometimes, skills gap can have a very different impact where the company doubts its capabilities of attracting the right talent. For example, if skilled people decline a company’s offer, that company may begin to question its offering, entering a vicious circle of low staff moral and slow business growth.

How your business can overcome these impacts

There are various ways in which you can lift your business’ skills and staff morale whilst retaining the right talent. You can read our article here to find out more about what you can action near you.

Or participate in LSIP to make a difference to the future of local skills for Norfolk & Suffolk.

Learn more about Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) here.

LSIP | How to solve the skill gaps issue?

Written by Haze Carver on 31 January 2023.

Introduction

It’s no secret that there’s a severe skills gap in the UK. Trained people are in short supply across several industries, and businesses of all sizes are affected.

The result is that these businesses face a new challenge of locating the ideal candidates to fill critical tasks. In this article, we’ll explore different potential fixes that companies may utilise to address it

The UK’s underinvestment in education and training is one of the key factors contributing to the skills gap. There is a lack of suitable applicants for many occupations as a result of many young people not acquiring the education and training they require to thrive in the workforce.

The issue is exacerbated by the fact that many elderly workers do not update their skills, subsequently falling behind on the knowledge needed as industries grow.

Many factors can contribute to the skills gap:

A lack of experience
Outdated or inadequate training
Failures in the broader educational system
Change in roles or responsibilities
External political changes (e.g. Brexit)

How it impacts businesses in the UK:

Loss of productivity
Higher staff turnover
Lower quality of work and decreased morale
Inability to expand your business
Loss of revenue

Businesses need to be proactive in this situation and invest in raining their own employees. This may involve providing training and development opportunities for current workers via online providers or one-to-one coaching in person.

Businesses can also collaborate with nearby colleges and universities to provide young people with internship and apprenticeship opportunities, bridging the gap between education and the workforce.

Working in collaboration with the government and similar groups will help develop training and education programmes that are specifically designed to meet the requirements.

Giving older workers the chance to refresh their skills within the organisation might increase loyalty to their employer as well as boosting their productivity. It also gives them a chance to practice these new skills within a known environment rather than starting from scratch, which could result in higher anxiety in the workplace.

This involvement from businesses may ensure that young people are obtaining the training they need to thrive in the workforce from the start of their careers.

Give access to online training

Online training is the most popular and easy way to help upskill your employees. This method is readily available, and can target a variety of skills or knowledge you might need for your business.

There’s a lot of soft skills eCourses that many industries may find useful to solve the most common skills gaps.

The drawback of this method is that not all skills are available to be taught online or might require someone on-site to educate your employees. Depending on the industry you are in, online training may not be suitable. Plus, you could be looking for an advanced training that might be hard to find or require a certificate.

Allow working time aside for self-development and learning

Some businesses may have the skills needed in-house with the right people to teach employees, but time may be limited.

However, try to allow some time for the relevant workers to learn from the skilled employees. Even though time may be tight, your business could benefit in the long-term from this “unpaid” route.

Some businesses make the mistake of ignore internal training due to lack of personnel or time constraints. If you already have the right people with the right skills, you’ll do your business a favour by prioritising internal training.

The biggest benefit? Uninterrupted business trading with the right knowledge and the right workforce.

Share your business’ pain point with skill gaps: get involved with your LSIP

The UK Department for Education (DfE) will help to unlock skills gap for many different industries. All it takes is for businesses to share their pain points with the relevant chamber of commerce. This will help your county to make a case and allocate the necessary investments to close the skills gap.

To put it simply, your chamber of commerce will ask for businesses to share their experience about skills gap or how difficult it is to find the right candidates.

This information will help inform the DfE about potential to invest in your local region and help fund the relevant area to bring that knowledge in to close the skills gap.

Learn more about Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) here.

Or make your business’ voice heard today and share your impact with skills gap here: LSIP employer survey.

Conclusion

The UK is experiencing a serious skills deficit that is affecting companies of all industries.

Businesses can contribute to resolving this issue by providing internal training or taking time to hire the right candidates, or by sharing their skills needs to a Local Skills Improvements Plan organisation.

The best scenario is to help both young and established workers to learn the future skills soon-to-be in demand, so businesses do not experience interruptions to their delivery.

LSIP | Welcomes the New Board

Written by Haze Carver on 26 January 2023.

On the 17^th January we held our inaugural Board meeting of the Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers LSIP.

The purpose of the Board is to provide direction, oversight, and review of the development of an effective LSIP for the region. The Board is complied of businesses of all sizes, stakeholders, colleges, training providers and universities to enable a more responsive and collaborative approach to the development of the local workforce.

Nova Fairbank, CEO – Norfolk Chambers of Commerce:

“We are so pleased to welcome such an experienced and knowledgeable group of business and education leaders to our LSIP Board. The LSIP is a fantastic opportunity to bring employers and providers closer together and, through greater collaboration, make a difference to the local skills agenda for Norfolk and Suffolk.”

John Dugmore, Chief Executive – Suffolk Chamber of Commerce:

“Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has been involved in shaping the LSIP programme for nearly two years, so this first Norfolk & Suffolk LSIP board meeting represents an important milestone in embedding the business voice into future skills planning cross the two counties.

“We are especially grateful to our members Goose Services, Hadleigh Glass and ScottishPower Renewables for agreeing to serve on the LSIP board and so help strategically guide this exciting initiative.”

Dean Pierpoint, LSIP Project Manager – Norfolk Chambers of Commerce:

“After many weeks of planning and discussion it was great to get the first Board meeting in the diary. I am sure with the breadth of knowledge on skills from education providers and public sector organisations as well as input from the business community we will be able to shape the local skills improvement plan to have a positive effect on the skills landscape in the region. The team are now looking forward to engaging with the business community for their views on skills!”

You can view our LSIP Board Members here

Cutting your training budget in tough times could be a costly mistake

Written by Haze Carver on 13 January 2023.

by Robyn Littlefair Assoc CIPD HR Consultant

Last updated: 6th January 2023 at 10:49am

Times are tough at the moment for many businesses, to say the least. The current UK inflation rate is sitting at 11.1%, so employers are under a lot of pressure to increase salaries and keep up with the rising cost of materials and products they require.

Many businesses have had no choice but to review their budgets and prioritise as best as possible, which can, unfortunately, involve cutting out or skimping on less urgent costs.

One of those costs facing the chop may well be the training budget. Before you make that decision, read on and find out why learning and development for your business should remain a priority.

“Very professional, efficient and effective response”

“Impressed by the speed with which MAD-HR responded to my query. The fact that I had the opportunity to properly explain the issue I was grappling with, and the confidence and obviously ability of the person who then offered advice.” Read the full review

Training is an investment that, if done correctly, can have a huge positive impact on your team’s performance and the success of your business.

According to the LinkedIn 2022 Workplace Learning Report, having opportunities to learn and grow is now the number one factor that people say defines an exceptional work environment.

Learning and development in many businesses has become a more strategic function, helping organisations to refocus on rebuilding or reshaping their business to future-proof for what is next.

The benefits of training

A well-planned and thought-out training budget can bring the following benefits:

Reduced Costs

Training can help to reduce costs in the long run by upskilling your staff to carry out work in a more efficient way. This could prevent the need for outsourcing services, streamline processes and mitigate the need for micromanagement, freeing up your senior employees to allow them to focus on improving your business.

Improved capability

Having development and training plans in place for your staff will greatly improve their capability. This means that, if new opportunities for growth arise in the future, you have the skills in-house already and can look to recruit internally, reducing the need for external recruitment, which takes up valuable time and money.

Better customer service

Your employees are the key gatekeeper between the business and your customers; make sure your employees have the skills and capability to give the best service possible.

Realised potential

Training can bring out the best of your employees’ potential, increasing employee engagement and, in the long run, maintaining retention. If you are seen to be investing in your employees’ continuous improvement, their loyalty to you will strengthen.

Retention of talent

In relation to recruitment, when prospective candidates are looking for their next job opportunity, it’s not just about the pay package; in addition to this, one of the main things which is desired and valued is the opportunity to develop and learn. To ensure you stand out in a competitive market, you need to promote what investment you will make to that person’s development. This will also help to improve your business’ employer brand.

Keeping up to date with trends and developments

In this ever-changing technological world we live in, it is crucial for many businesses to keep up to date with technological changes, stay one step ahead and ensure your employees are informed with technological advancements and are ready for whatever is thrown at your business.

Meeting legal requirements

Last but not least, it is important to remember that for certain qualifications, renewal is required. It is important to stay on top of this, not just to make sure the qualification is valid, but also to improve knowledge, keep up to date, and maintain and improve confidence.

Will you reconsider your training budget?

In the broader sense, a lack of training and development opportunities is also having an impact on the UK’s economy; according to the Learning and Work Institute, employer’s investment in training has plummeted 28% since 2005, which has put the Government’s ambition of a highly skilled, high wage economy at risk.

Where next?

To help ensure that your training budget is relevant and going to reap the rewards, create a ‘training needs assessment’ to really focus on what your business priorities are in terms of future-proofing.

Ask yourself: What skills are currently missing and what is already available? You may already have resources in-house to upskill your employees without the need of training, meaning you can use your training budget more effectively.

At MAD-HR, our team work hard to ensure that your training budget is used effectively, developing and implementing training plans and interventions with clear measures to ensure the training is supporting your business’s output and growth. Contact a member of our friendly team today to find out how we can help build the skills and capability of your team.

WellBeing for business

Written by Haze Carver on 13 January 2023.

WellBeing International is a team of consultants working both in the UK and worldwide. Our collective vision is to reduce stress within the workplace looking after an organisation’s top resource – its staff.

When there is a dynamic working environment then the skills and management of the team come to the fore.

At WellBeing we aim to get to know our clients and provide a bespoke service that is befitting to their team.

‘Our workforce are our greatest asset and as such we hold the health and wellbeing of staff in high regard. With this in mind I approached Kate to deliver a bespoke workshop to provide staff with useful information on how to improve their own personal selfcare. Kate was able to captivate a large audience – the information had the right amount of science and practical tips. I am aware that staff are putting their new knowledge into practice and feeling better for it. You were definitely a hit with the audience!’

Sarah Lawlor – Manager, Flying Start

WellBeing ‘Capsules’

Monthly presentations to your team covering topics of your choice.

Corporate ‘Boost You!’

Our holistic approach will enable you to take your overall health and wellbeing to another level.

Confidential 1:1’s

Menopause

Every business today should have a Menopause support plan in place.

Retreats

Our hugely successful, re-energising, one and two-day residential retreats in the beautiful Norfolk countryside, or at a venue of your choice.

New Parent Packages for your team

Call or email us and we’ll be happy to discuss the packages we can put together for you.

Team building/motivational days

Call or drop us a line and we’ll be happy to discuss what we can do for you.

Infant Massage

We’re delighted to be able to offer the best CPD accredited training in the UK.

Please email or give us a call and we would be delighted to tell you more.

enquiries@wellbeinginternational.co.uk

or phone us on: 01379 677 335

Menopause | Wellbeing International

Written by Haze Carver on 13 January 2023.

Our determination to have the Menopause heard, discussed and addressed, has been the driving force behind our success in becoming a leading advisor on this topic throughout the UK, with our targeted events, presentations and workshops around the Menopause being a major part of our profile.

Here at Wellbeing International we use our scientific and holistic knowledge to advise and inform both businesses and individuals on the topic.

We redirect the mindset and focus and make it simple to implement immediate changes and encourage awareness of all things Menopausal within your workplace – and we’re experts at what we do.

As pioneers and a leading provider of Gender-Neutral Webinars since 2019, we understand the need for company managers to show the way, demonstrating that women’s wellbeing and health is a priority, and we feel it’s vital that all genders are included in the process.

Our policies include everyone from the CEO to the maintenance staff, demonstrating a clear message that everyone is valued within the organisation.

At this sometimes confusing and often life-changing time, estimates indicate over 1 million women have felt overwhelmed and unsupported in the workplace, preferring to abandon their careers rather than carry on. However – things are changing! The Menopause needs no longer to be the catalyst for a shorter career.

“What I have discovered delivering the programme is how apologetic directors and senior managers have been when they fully understand what women go through. They realise that if they want a flourishing and totally inclusive organisation, they have to embrace the menopause.”
Kate Pigeon-Owen, CEO Wellbeing International

The key to any successful awareness project is to build a company-wide inclusive programme. At Wellbeing International we truly understand the need for flexible solutions, so whether your preference is for online or on-site, our bespoke packages are designed to suit the needs and values of your business, and your people.

Gender Neutral Workshops / Webinars

These workshops are for your whole team, ensuring everyone understands what the Menopause is, and removing the ‘taboo’. We cover the science in a no-nonsense way and make this information accessible to all. Our goal is to create an understanding and supportive working environment.

Learn more

‘The whole presentation was fascinating. As a male you don’t really take the time to understand the subject, but this was easy to follow and well led. Thank you Kate for your time and fantastic demeanour in the presentation.’

Line Manager at UPP

Women’s Workshops / Webinars

Hourly or longer webinars and face to face workshops can be scheduled to suit your requirements.

Learn more

‘Our workforce are our greatest asset and as such we hold the health and wellbeing of staff in high regard. With this in mind I approached Kate to deliver a bespoke workshop to provide staff with useful information on how to improve their own personal self-care. Kate was able to captivate a large audience – the information had the right amount of science and practical tips. I am aware that staff are putting their new knowledge into practice and feeling better for it. You were definitely a hit with the audience!’

Sarah Lawlor – Manager, Flying Start

Menopause Retreats

A dedicated space for your female colleagues. These highly popular spaces create a practical, supportive and safe environment for all women to understand the process. A longer event covers a wider range of topics in more detail, allowing delegates to understand, prepare for, and respond knowledgeably to their symptoms.

Learn more

1:1’s with our qualified Menopause Doctor

We are privileged to work with our own dedicated Menopause Doctor, Hannah Short and can provide you access to a confidential 1:1 to discuss your medical menopause options.

We can organise either a virtual or face to face consultation.

Get in touch with her directly at www.drhannahshort.co.uk

1:1’s with Kate Pigeon-Owen – a holistic and supportive session

This is confidential time dedicated to you. In this protective space you can discuss how you are feeling, with our 1:1 support allowing you to take control, and experience positives within your menopausal journey

Menopause Champion training

Your company culture and values are supported by the incredible people who work for you.

By training a member of your team to be a Menopause Champion you will empower and enable your own ‘expert’ who can offer advice, liaise with management and keep up to date with the latest research. Our pilot training is planned shortly with 20 personnel.

The launch of this one-day CPD qualification is imminent.

Why not Schedule a Complimentary Capsule?

Allow us to present a complimentary ‘Menopause’ Capsule to your team.

Please email us at

enquiries@wellbeinginternational.co.uk

or phone us on: 01379 677 335

New Corporate Boost You! Programme | Wellbeing International

Written by Haze Carver on 13 January 2023.

In response to demand we’ve now introduced a new gender neutral Boost You! Programme

Do you want to bring the best energy to your workplace, enhance creativity, fuel purpose and develop communication skills? With colleague turnover at an all-time high isn’t it imperative that you attract the best, and retain all those brilliant people?

If you would like to make meaningful positive changes in your workplace, then you have come to the right place. We can help you create a wellbeing programme or refine an existing plan.

Literally covering all life stages from baby to older age, our unique blend of expertise, science and a holistic approach will provide all the support you need. We have a strong focus on the Menopause and getting the conversation around this topic going.

Wellbeing has never been so critical. Let’s all take responsibility for making sustainable changes, and for taking positive steps forward.

Wellbeing for Business

Download our Brochure here

Wellbeing International

Please email us at

enquiries@wellbeinginternational.co.uk

or phone us on: 01379 677 335

What is a Local Skills Improvement Plan?

Written by Haze Carver on 12 January 2023.

A Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is a new initiative from the Department for Education (DfE) that will set out the key priorities needed to make technical education and skills provision more responsive to the changing needs of employers and the local economy by:

ensuring a better match between the supply of and demand for the skills employers most need to thrive and boost productivity, as well as helping to drive greater collaboration between providers to realise the benefits of economies of scale and specialisation;
making provision more accessible and addressing barriers to progression, especially for the adult workforce, such as driving greater join-up between skills offers, including work programmes; and
recognising that improving the supply of skills must be accompanied by demand-side measures that drive greater employer engagement and investment in skills and support potential learners through effective careers guidance.

In other words, the LSIP will put employers at the heart of the skills agenda in Norfolk and Suffolk.

There are 38 LSIPs across the UK. Our local LSIP reaches across the whole of Norfolk and Suffolk. So Norfolk Chambers are working in close collaboration with Suffolk Chamber of Commerce to ensure both business communities are engaged.

The remit for the Norfolk and Suffolk LSIP is in four parts:

Articulate the employers skills needs – what are the skills employers need locally and struggle to find?
Translating employers needs into changes in provision – how can those employers needs best be met by the provider in more responsive ways?
Address learner demand and employer engagement – what can local stakeholders and employers do to raise demand for and make better use of those skills?
Report annually to the DfE on what we want to achieve, why it matters, what changes are needed, and who needs to be involved. In other words what does skills success look like?

The LSIP contract runs from September 2022 until March 2025, but the ‘heavy lifting’ of designing the LSIP programme and processes has to be done in the first 8 months, as we need to submit our Local Skills Improvement Plan for the approval of the Secretary of State for Education by 31 May 2023.

The DfE have made it clear that the LSIP is about quality engagement with a wide range of businesses. To achieve this, we will be working in close collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders across the region including: Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils, New Anglia LEP, all the universities and colleges across Norfolk and Suffolk and several sixth form colleges. We will also work with the private training providers, charities and the voluntary sector, as well as the DWP/Job Centre Plus and other business organisations such as the FSB, NFU, IOD and the CBI.

But the most important people will be the business communities across Norfolk and Suffolk. We want to hear from businesses of any size: from sole traders and micro businesses to medium size enterprises to large corporates – all views and opinions will be sought.

Get involved

Governance

Take the Employer Survey

Chamber Webinar – Step-Up Your Sales and Marketing: Building Your Product Staircase

Written by FM Team on 22 August 2022.

How do you grow a business without employing loads of staff, adding a couple of extra zeros on your prices or putting in hundreds of extra hours of work?

You create a Product Staircase.

A Product Staircase establishes the ‘Know-Like-Trust’ cycle that is essential to turn people who are interested in your products and services into customers.

It enables you to nurture your current clients and attract new customers by creating a staircase of products and services at different price levels. It also allows you to develop passive income streams that can make you money while you sleep.

In this session you will discover:

What is the product staircase and why do you need one?
The sales funnel – what it is, why you need one, where to start
The product staircase step-by-step
How funnel-driven automations will promote your product and services

About Kathy

Kathy Ennis is the Founder and Managing Director of LittlePiggy. She is a Business mentor and Coach who focusses on practical, applicable and achievable actions that make a real difference to any business. Kathy specialises in working with ultra-small businesses: solopreneurs, freelancers, coaches, consultants and side hustles. By focussing in the three, key areas of money, marketing and mindset, Kathy enables even the smallest business to move seamlessly from passion to profit.