SKILLS


Labour market robust but firms hampered by skills gap


The latest labour market statistics for 2017 have been released by the Office for National Statistics. Commenting on the statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of


Suren Thiru


‘The proportion of firms reporting recruitment difficulties remains close to a record high’


Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “With unemployment continuing to fall and employment levels rising, conditions in the UK labour market remain robust. “However, labour market indicators often lag behind


the wider economy and it remains likely that employment growth will start to soften over the near- term, as more subdued economic conditions and the rising cost of doing business in the UK stifle firms’ ability to recruit. “The BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey shows the proportion of firms reporting recruitment difficulties


Helping get start-ups on to the Launchpad


Budding entrepreneurs and start- up business owners based throughout the Sheffield City Region are being urged to take advantage of a new, free-of- charge programme aimed at giving them the best possible start on their business journey. Developed by Launchpad, which


forms part of the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub, the unique scheme helps new entrepreneurs and business owners trading for less than two years access a comprehensive range of free resources including access to training events and working with an experienced business mentor. The mentoring programme has


been launched across the Sheffield City Region at a special event, which saw over 20 new business owners and experienced entrepreneurs come together to celebrate the launch of the new service. During the event, delegates were


given the opportunity to hear from business owners, who shared their own experiences of how a business mentor can help to make a big difference to small business owners. Participants of the mentoring


APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING


Linden has been in training and quality, health & safety, and food management auditing since 1993. We specialise in delivering Apprenticeship Training to meet your specific business needs. Our experienced and friendly team of trainers work with you to develop training that is flexible and relevant.


We are all about building relationships with our clients and passionate about delivering high quality training.


Apprenticeship training includes but is not limited to: Find a business mentor


programme are paired with an existing SCR business mentor who most meets their business needs and benefit from support and advice such as one-to-one meetings, training, coaching and events and workshops hosted throughout the City Region. All mentors are experienced


entrepreneurs and business owners in their own right, looking to support, nurture and inspire the next generation of start-up successes. Launchpad is available to all new


business owners trading for less than two years and based in the Sheffield City Region.


business network June 2017 45


• Food Manufacturing Excellence with Food Safety • Food Industry Services with Food Safety • Hospitality & Catering with Food Hygiene • Cleaning Operations with Manual Handling • Warehouse & Storage with Manual Handling/Forklift Truck • Horticulture & Arboriculture with First Aid • Business & Professional Administration • Customer Service • Team Leading & Management


To explore these funded opportunities further please contact us on Tel: 0800 2980632 or email info@lindenmanagement.org.uk


remains close to a record high, which is undermining their productivity and growth. With increases in regular pay slowing again, earnings growth is now comfortably trailing behind inflation. If the disparity between pay and price growth continues to increase as we predict, household spending is likely to slow further, weakening overall economic activity. “The next Government must do more to close the


skills gap, including improving the transition from education to work by guaranteeing universal experience of work in all schools for under-16s, and delivering a future immigration regime based on economic need, rather than an arbitrary migration target. This will help firms compete on the global stage, boosting UK productivity and growth.”


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