Episode 6: How local skills programs can benefit the community and businesses.

Talking Recruitment

In this episode Neil Carberry, REC Chief Executive, interviews Dr. Fiona Aldridge, Head of Insight and Intelligence in the Economic Delivery, Skills and Communities Directorate at West Midlands Combined Authority. They discuss the biggest challenges associated with local and regional skills shortages. In this episode, you’ll hear more about: The Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) implemented by the West Midlands Combined Authority. How the collaboration between businesses, education providers, and policy stakeholders can help to address this skills issue. How additional funding for skills boot camps will benefit the local community and businesses in the region. The biggest challenges facing local and regional approaches to skills development. Key Quotes “The vacancies we have at the minute aren't skills shortages they're labour market shortages” Fiona This is your opportunity to show that recruiters who are deeply embedded in the areas … are a part of how we address candidate supply and show that the industry is part of the solution” Neil “Employers don’t want long qualifications and training courses. They do want something shorter, more modular, very connected to the labour market…so that they can get people into work” Fiona “There are many other reasons why people aren't in work. Can they get a bus or a train to their employer? Have they got the right health support?” Fiona