A FEW simple skills reforms would give an economic boost to the region. That is the message from the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) which today launches its skills policy report, Bridging the Gap.
The report urges unity between the private and public sectors, universities, colleges and Government to ensure the region’s workforce has the training to carve out a future in renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.
Compared to the national average, a greater number of the North East workforce lack the skills demanded by employers.
Around one in five firms said they had problems finding staff with the right skills, both at skilled and professional levels, according to the NECC’s North East Business Barometer for Quarter 2 2011.
NECC president John Mowbray said: “A skilled workforce is the most critical contributor to the success and growth of a business. Put simply, businesses with skilled employees are likely to be more efficient, more productive and more sustainable.
“Businesses must ensure they play their part in training employees to protect their competitive edge. This report demonstrates that they need to actively engage with training providers to ensure the workforce is equipped with the skills required for success.”
