COMMENT


THE


LAST WORD


GEOFF POYZER, Chamber President, on the issues that are worth talking about


training to employers that will pay the apprenticeship levy, for any apprenticeships that start on or after 1 May 2017. This major milestone enables the Chamber to continue


delivering exceptional apprenticeship provision to both levy and non-levy employers as part of the funding reforms.


INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY GREEN PAPER It is encouraging that Primer Minister Theresa May has suggested that the needs of business will play a prominent role in Britain’s negotiations to leave the EU. She made the remarks at her first regional Cabinet


CHAMBER ANNUAL DINNER Addressing close to 600 Chamber members at the Chamber’s 2017 Annual Dinner on 23 March at the Roundhouse, Derby, was certainly one of the highlights of my tenure as President to date. Baroness Eliza Manningham-Buller and the Rt Hon Sir


Patrick McLoughlin MP were both very entertaining and engaging as keynote speakers and the whole evening ran smoothly and fully justified its position as one of the Chamber’s premier events. Congratulations also to the Chamber staff who worked


so hard both before and on the night to ensure the evening was a complete success.


ARTICLE 50 On 29 March, Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50 to begin the formal two-year process that will see the UK leave the European Union. During this time of negotiation, the Chamber will


continue to ensure its members are fully updated and made aware of potential implications. It will also work hard to make sure business remains at the heart of these discussions. To view the Chamber’s eight-page Brexit report, which


sets out what business wants from Brexit, visit bit.ly/EMCBrexit


CHAMBER A MAIN PROVIDER OF APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING


I am delighted that the Chamber’s application to the Skills Funding Agency’s (SFA) register of apprenticeship training providers (RoATP) has been successful. As a main provider, the Chamber will continue to deliver apprenticeship


58 business network April 2017


meeting, where she launched an eagerly-awaited Green Paper setting out her Government’s planned industrial strategy for post-Brexit Britain. It promises that Government will take an active role in backing business. Underpinning this strategy will be ten pillars, all of which


are areas that the Chamber can influence and play an active role in moving forward. These are: Investing in science, research and innovation; Developing skills; Upgrading infrastructure; Supporting businesses to start and grow; Improving procurement; Encouraging trade and inward investment; Delivering affordable energy and clean growth; Cultivating world-leading sectors; Driving growth across the whole country and Creating the right institutions to bring together sectors and places.


NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2017 Working in partnership with the East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, the Chamber formed part of the ‘Big Assembly’ world-record attempt during National Apprenticeship Week. The attempt saw young people log in to an online giant


careers advice assembly. While it didn’t quite beat the world-record, the initiative more than doubled its target for the number of young people who actually watched it – topping 10,000. It’s great to see that so many young people were engaged and I am proud that the Chamber could play its part in the process.


WESTMINSTER ATTACKS Finally, on behalf of myself and everyone at the Chamber, I would like to send my condolences to all those affected by the terrible events in Westminster on 22 March and pay tribute to those who lost their lives. Democracy is a concept that cannot be destroyed by acts


of barbarity and in challenging times, it is great to see the strength and unity of the country and a declaration that our way of life and fundamental values will not be compromised.


Join the conversation by following @EMCBizNetwork and Tweet using the hashtag #LastWord


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