'Wrong to leave women behind'

Dec 6 2007 By The Journal

WOMEN in business are being encouraged to plug the skills gap as part of a national campaign aimed at raising the profile of training and development.

The Skills Pledge is a Government initiative designed to encourage businesses and organisations to demonstrate a commitment to staff training and improving skills.

The campaign is being driven in the region by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) North East, supported by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC).

A recent survey commissioned nationally by the LSC revealed that women spend nearly twice as much on trips to beauty and hair salons and snapping up the latest cosmetics and toiletry products than improving their minds by learning a new skill.

Sally Aitchison, managing director of Metro Radio and Magic 1152, believes this is holding women back when it comes to plotting a successful career, and urged all women involved in business to take the LSC’s advice to invest more in improving skills.

She said: “Many women in the workplace have to balance home life with work and are left behind when it comes to training and development.

“This is wrong, and means that talent is not being tapped and developed. Just because a woman interrupts her career to have a family, or has to work part-time to juggle work with their family commitments, does not mean they should be prevented from learning new skills.

“Women business leaders and entrepreneurs should be at the forefront of training all their staff and should act as mentors, particularly to female staff.

“This will not only have great benefit to the individual, but will increase productivity, morale and staff retention for businesses.”

The CBI is one of the main supporters of the Skills Pledge.

Liz Smith, assistant regional director, said: “The business case for training is clear cut, with it leading to improvements in productivity, job satisfaction and staff retention.

“Companies investing in training their staff are investing in their business.

“To compete in a global economy, it is vital that companies continue to invest in their workforce.

“Many North-East employers have already signed up to the Skills Pledge, and we would encourage other businesses to do so.”

The Leitch Review of Skills, published in December 2006, warned that the UK must ‘raise its game’ on skills at all levels if it is to sustain and improve its position in the global economy.

The Skills Pledge fulfills a key recommendation made in the review, with employers able to shape the skills system to meet their needs, in return for prioritising skills training at all levels.

Businesses that sign up to the Skills Pledge have access to the jointly funded LSC North East and One NorthEast’s Train to Gain service to help them get the training they need to succeed.

An important element of the Train to Gain service is skills brokerage that offers free impartial advice and helps find the best training solution from high quality and responsive training providers to meet business needs.

Chris Roberts, regional director, LSC North East, said: “Increasing the skills of their workforce makes good economic sense for companies as it helps boost productivity, and can also help with staff retention.