Region can teach rest a lesson on staff training

May 9 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

THE North East is leading the country in combating the skills shortage by proving it is the most dedicated to training its workers.

A survey by the Learning and Skills Council shows employers in the region are doing the most to address the lack of skilled staff in many industries by taking on the largest proportion of apprentices – 11 per 1,000 staff compared with five per thousand in London.

The survey of 79,000 employers nationwide also revealed that North East bosses are likely to invest more in training, with £2,000 spent per employee, compared with a national average of £1,736. The figures reflect the heavy emphasis placed on training among some of the region’s biggest businesses, such as car manufacturer Nissan’s UK operation in Sunderland.

The factory, which employs 5,000 people, has seen 330 join its maintenance technician apprenticeship scheme since it was established in the year the plant opened, 1984, and 400 people have signed up to its manufacturing apprenticeship since it was introduced in 2004.

Nissan personnel director Danny Griffiths said: “Nissan is committed to training and developing young people through its in-house apprenticeship schemes. This ‘homegrown’ approach enables the company to develop the skills and knowledge of the apprentice both formally and informally while they learn about the culture and ethos of the company.

“A substantial amount of time, effort and resource is invested in the training and development of our apprentices – they are the future of Nissan.”

The figures, which also revealed that employers in the North East are in the top three for the number of days’ training they provide, were also backed up by the region’s construction sector, including Gentoo Group, formerly known as the Sunderland Housing Group, which has 72 apprentices.

Its director of organisational development Deborah Piggett said: “These figures are extremely pleasing and great news for those looking to break into construction.

“As the skills shortage facing the industry becomes more evident, it’s fantastic that the region is investing significant amounts to tackle this problem which is affecting companies like Gentoo Construction.

“As an employer, we recognise that staff are our biggest asset and that we need to work hard to maintain a skilled workforce, something currently in high demand.”