The latest Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey saw businesses asked questions around skills issues, with 68 per cent of those employing between 10 and 49 people claiming to have difficulties with recruitment.
The main reason behind this, according to respondents, was the lack of applicants with relevant skills, with 65 per cent of small businesses who took part in the survey claiming this was an issue.
Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The stats relating to skills shortages across the country are concerning and Coventry and Warwickshire is no different.
“Just over half of all of our respondents said that a lack of skills was holding back their business, with more than two thirds of small businesses saying they were facing recruitment difficulties.
“There are ways to improve this situation and ourselves, alongside Warwickshire County Council, recently launched a five point plan to tackle the skills shortage.
“We have designated business skills advisors who help business owners break down exactly what it is they need and how they can overcome the issues they are facing.
“Personal support is absolutely crucial and we provide regular contact and reviews to track progress and link additional support if or when required.”
Other issues arising from the latest QES include business links with schools, with just seven per cent of businesses questioned saying that they are engaging directly with schools.
However, a third of businesses were looking to invest in training and development of existing employees.
Angela Joyce, Principal and CEO of the Warwickshire College Group – which operates colleges across the region, added: “We know that many businesses are concerned about skills shortages and for small businesses this can become a fundamental driver in businesses surviving, growing and developing.
“As with most areas in the country, we have an ageing population and the decline in the youth demographic that’s not expected to change until 2021 which accentuates the skills shortage issues.
“We are working to support small businesses with skills solutions through projects such as Collaborate to Train; WCG Recruitment; apprenticeships; and Digital WM. At WCG, we very much recognise the additional difficulties smaller businesses have recruiting in comparison to their medium and large counterparts, so we have a dedicated team of specialist colleagues ready to engage with small businesses.”
One of area of industry that is particularly suffering when it comes to skills is the tourism and hospitality sector and this is set to be exacerbated by Brexit. So much so, it grabbed BBC News headlines earlier this summer.
However, WCG’s Royal Leamington Spa College is playing its part in addressing the issue head-on.
This September, the College is launching a Level 3 Diploma in Hotel, Tourism and Destination Management which has been enthusiastically welcomed by leading figures in the sector.
Steven Quick, Operations Director at Hogarths Hotel, said: “Since being formed 15 years ago, Hogarths has been committed to developing our team, working with local schools and colleges, and preparing people for a career in hospitality.
“We are delighted to be working with and supporting WCG and making a real difference to the students.”
Director of Curriculum at WCG, Neil Coker, explained: “Warwickshire and the Midlands are a huge part of tourism in the UK and internationally.
“With an unrivalled breadth of attractions with everything from William Shakespeare to a Space Centre, there is enormous potential to attract even more visitors to boost the local economy.
“Hotels and destinations are hungry for new talent to support their ambitions with innovation, energy and passion. Thousands of jobs are being created in this sector, right now.
“To make sure this ambition is matched by talented, skilled staff, Leamington Spa College is creating a new learning experience for the next generation of managers, marketeers and event organisers, and the whole range of opportunities that this sector offers.”
The students’ experience will include industry mentoring, real life working briefs and 30 days of meaningful industry placements each year. This means the students apply what they learn in a working context straight away, while part of their induction will take place in a working hotel and they will experience every aspect of running a busy hotel.
Neil added: “Our partners in the industry are very excited about this new development and are keen to offer hands-on experiences for students so that when they start their career they can hit the ground running.”
Among the big names in tourism supporting WCG are Hand Picked Hotels, Bespoke Hotels, the Institute of Hospitality and Eden Hotel Group.
Mark Chambers, Eden’s Managing Director, said: “The biggest challenge we face in running our business, and across the broader industry, is human resourcing and we are delighted to work in partnership with WCG to provide students with real industry work experience via this new diploma course.
“Improving the skills pipeline through education is a key strategic thread for us and therefore, the introduction of this new qualification will be a good foundation in aiding and addressing this issue.”
For those interested in applying for the new course, or if you are an industry lead and require more information, then please email: [email protected]. Suitable applicants will be invited to interview where their passion and commitment to a career in hospitality will be assessed.
