Content

• The BCC’s Workforce Survey highlights that 92% of businesses have identified a skills shortage among their workforce in at least one key area
• Most common skills shortages are leadership and management, planning and organisation, languages, computer literacy and creativity
• 80% of businesses surveyed have plans to invest in training. 39% plan to invest more than £500 per staff member
• Cost, staff availability and a lack of suitable courses remain key barriers for businesses looking to invest in training

Overview

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling on businesses of all sizes and in all sectors in the UK to invest in workforce training as a key driver for economic success and improved productivity performance.

Today (Wednesday) the business group is publishing further findings from its 2014 Workforce Survey:Training and Skills, which show that an overwhelming majority of firms (92%) have identified a skills shortage among their workforce in at least one key competency. Results from the survey of nearly 3,000 businesses from across the UK suggest the most common skills shortages are leadership and management, planning and organisation, languages, computer literacy and creativity.

In order to address these skills gaps, most respondents (80%) have indicated plans to invest in training their workforce over the next 12 months. The majority of businesses strongly agree (78%) that training is worthy of investment as a driver for growth and improving productivity performance, with large businesses most likely to strongly agree (90%). Four in ten firms (39%) plan to invest more than £500 per employee in external training over the next year. However, the major barriers to training investment are: cost (50%), freeing up staff to participate in training (31%), and a lack of suitable courses (19%).

Companies looking for guidance on appropriate training courses are turning to private training providers, (71%) sector based bodies (38%) and further education colleges (35%) to source and deliver training, frequently brokered by local Chambers of Commerce.

Key findings from the survey:

• Companies report that communication skills (83%), teamwork (82%) and customer service (72%) are important skills they look for when recruiting. Encouragingly, less than one in five firms report a shortage in these areas.
• Around a third (33%) of businesses say they have a skills shortage in leadership and management and planning and organisation (26%), which businesses recognise as core skills relating to commercial development. Firms also report a skills shortage in languages (35%), computer literacy (23%) and creativity (20%).
• In terms of future investment plans, more than a third of companies (41%) plan to invest up to £500 per employee in external training, while a similar proportion (39%) plan to invest a higher amount.
• Businesses within the energy, mining and utilities (59%), education (50%), IT and telecoms (48%) sectors are most likely to invest more than £500 per employee in training.
• Micro firms (those with nine or less staff) intend to invest in training over the next 12 months. 35% have earmarked more than £500 for each employee.
• The type of training being invested in varies, but for the majority it is on-the-job training (78%).More than half of companies have invested in health and safety (59%), first aid (56%) and technical / job specific training (56%).
• Within a firm, the overall workforce tends to receive one to five days training per annum, with 65% offering that amount. Newer members of staff (under one year) often receive more training – 34% receive one to five days, 26% receive five to 10 days and 16% receive 11 to 20 days.

Commenting, Nora Senior, President of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“Businesses recognise that investing in training can drive higher productivity and increased profits. In addition to specialised training, however, our findings make it clear that investment in leadership and management skills are crucial to enhance strategic thinking, foster innovation and motivate a firm’s employees.

“It is good to see that most businesses are taking a proactive approach by investing in their existing workforce. Four in ten tell us they are planning to invest £500 or more per member of staff to address skills shortages. Yet we need far more companies to reach this level, which will only happen if we break down the barriers to investing in training.

“Long-standing complaints around the cost of training, a lack of suitable courses, and staff availability – since people are needed at the front line – remain important issues. To ensure that even more businesses can invest in training, which in turn will drive higher wages, we need to improve dialogue between firms and the organisations that offer training – so that companies find training that is relevant, cost-effective and a good fit with staff working hours.

“Accredited Chambers of Commerce provide objective advice to employers on appropriate local training providers, and help negotiate lower costs through group purchasing. Many also offer direct, business-to-business training themselves. Governments seeking to promote investment in the UK’s workforce should work with Chambers to ensure that investment in training continues to grow.”

Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “Over the years, many of our members have reported skills shortages, particularly in the manufacturing and engineering sectors, where the existing skilled workforce is now starting to age and finding new talent is a challenge. The latest Workforce Survey highlights this case and shows why Norfolk employers are investing more in up-skilling their existing staff and turning towards apprenticeships to help fill the skills gaps.

Apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly popular route for many young people and this will also benefit employers seeking to ‘grow their own talent’. However more work needs to be down to ensure that employers’ links to schools are strengthened and young people are aware of the alternative routes to employment.”

The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce ‘Expanding Overseas’ events continue in 2015 with the next event covering ‘Exporting into the Czech Republic’. These FREE TO ATTEND events offer essential insights into exporting to a country with identified potential.

Sponsored by Lovewell Blake, who will provide help with taxation issues when trading with the countries, the events will give exporters a valuable opportunity to hear from speakers who can help them enter these important markets.

The next event take place at the King’s Centre Norwich on 24 February, 3.45pm – 6.45pm, and is aimed at both the experienced exporter and those new to it. Companies looking to enter the Czech Republic will be connected to British Business Centres Overseas, through which they will be able to access support and services, complementing those already offered by the overseas UKTI posts.

Exporting into the Czech Republic

This high income country represents an exciting opportunity for UK exporters. British products are well received, especially in sectors such as food & drink, consumer goods, retail, science & technology and advanced engineering.

One of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states, the Czech Republic has shifted from a centrally planned economy to a functioning market ethos. However, certain social traditions remain and exporters need to be aware of issues such as the need for punctuality, the decision making processes and important details of conducting oneself in social gatherings.

The Czech Republic is the UK’s 30th largest export market, with two way trade representing some £5bn. Its open economy, widespread use of English as a language and relatively straightforward importing processes make it an attractive option for the informed exporter. Learning the details of how to trade there will prove invaluable.

The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce series ‘Expanding Overseas’ events are geared to helping our region’s businesses maximise their export potential by providing practical, informed, guidance for reaching out to overseas markets.. Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of the Norfolk Chamber said, ‘We are dedicated to helping our members do better business. This free to attend event will provide real help for doing better business abroad. It is a great opportunity to hear from experts and take away knowledge that can be applied immediately.’

A further event, to be held at Barnham Broom Hotel, and focussing on Kuwait, is planned for March 17th 2015

Over 130 members took over Hollywood Bowl after work on a frosty Thursday evening in January for our annual Super Bowl Challenge 2015. Delegates took advantage of the friendly free networking before getting into the competitive mood as they fought to win the Super Bowl Trophy.

In the end after all 25 teams had finished bowling, it was announced that Price Bailey had managed to retain the status of top bowling team in the membership by winning the trophy for the second year with a score of 728. In second place was Hugh J Boswell with a score of 684 and in third place was Cooper Lomas Recruitment with a score of 663.

We also had a few other achievements that were up for grabs during the evening. Sebastian from Price Bailey scored the highest score of 163 across all delegates competing with Matt from Hugh J Boswell coming in a close second with 159. Also Norfolk Chambers very own Jack Edwards was awarded the funniest bowler for falling twice and a curtsey to finish it off.

Click here to view more photos onFacebook

Click here to view more photos onGoogle+

Appointments go live for Meet The Buyer 2015

The Norfolk Chamber’s high profile policy event that focused on the theme of ‘Look at Norfolk. See Success’ was an overwhelming success on Friday, with over 160 people taking part.

Expertly hosted by Adam Marshall from the British Chamber of Commerce, local Members of Parliament Chloe Smith, Simon Wright, Henry Bellingham and George Freeman focusing on their personal areas of expertise with topics ranging from young people, international trade, business growth and mobile and broadband.

Norwich North MP Chloe Smith gave an update on Norwich For Jobs, the drive she has led to cut youth unemployment, and also outlined the ways the coalition government has helped young people, from improving the county’s schools’ funding formula to “revitalising an old currency” in fostering apprentices.

Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman gave a progress report on improving broadband and mobile phone coverage but admitted there was still a lot of work to do to deliver adequate speeds for businesses to function in the countryside “to make a much more vibrant rural economy”.

Norwich South MP Simon Wright told the conference that SMEs were an important driver of the growth now taking place in the UK economy. And he highlighted all the ways in which the government had aided business from supporting skills and investing in infrastructure to cutting red tape and freeing lending through such initiatives as the British Business Bank.

West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham raised the importance of exports in cutting the budget deficit – and highlighted the fact only 20pc of SMEs in the UK exported compared to 25pc in France and Germany.

Richard Bacon MP was unfortunately unable to attend on the day, Jonathan Cage from Create Consulting took to the floor to update delegates on the topic of growth corridors with an update on plans for the A47 and Jamie Burles, Abellio Greater Anglia talked about the local improvements to the rail network.

The event was very well received with plenty of delegates taking the opportunity to comment on twitter:

• Listening to @ChloeSmithMP talking about the talent of the young people of #norfolk @norfolkchamber – The Space
• Today’s @norfolkchamber #WellConnected event expertly hosted by @BCCAdam – and good hospitality by team @Dunston_Hall. – Huw Sayer – Writer
• Great turnout today for the MPs Event 2015 @norfolkchamber #wellconnected – Ingrid Wrathall

For photos of the event please visit ourfacebook page.

The House of Lords Digital Skills Committee published their report ‘Make or Break: The UK’s Digital Future’ today. The Select Committee on Digital Skills was appointed by the House of Lords on 12 June 2014 ‘to consider and report on information and communications technology, competitiveness and skills in the United Kingdom’.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) provided evidence last year to this Select Committee and cited the work being done locally by Norfolk Chamber of Commerce which was specifically referenced within the report.

The report refers to Chambers of Commerce a number of times and supports the BCC manifesto which highlights the need for more business governors on school boards. Norfolk Chamber was mentioned on p75 where it states “We heard the example of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, which ran a series of events on digital skills bringing in some of its local businesses to deliver workshops and talks on the latest technological and digital advances. This provided the rest of the local business community the opportunity to exploit those advances and grow.” To read the full report click here.