THE ROLE OF EMPLOYERS!

Employers need to take more responsibility for developing the skills needed for businesses to succeed and to innovate in the face of competitive pressures and market volatility. We need collaborative approaches with sectors and companies working together with schools and colleges to address key skills challenges as part of sectoral and regional growth strategies. The ability to attract, develop and retain a skilful and talented workforce will only increase in importance and require even more collaboration and partnership working with schools and colleges to access critical skills.

We are doing this in Sheffield with the Cutlers’ ‘Better Learners, Better Workers’ programmes which are demand driven, employer-led programmes focused on developing the skills employers are looking for in their employees. Students on the programmes are provided with a menu of activities to develop these skills. These student ‘Ambassadors’ promote the business sectors to peers and businesses get to see and help develop young people’s talents and abilities. Importantly, the programme has an employer endorsed Skills Passport awarded at the end of the programme.