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BUSINESS WEST – CONNECTING BUSINESSES BUSINESS SUPPORT Advice and support from Business West Let’s make most of young talent


For independent lettings agency, HomeLets, finding the next generation of property professionals was their biggest skills challenge; however with a helping hand from Skills West, they’re now thinking about how best to facilitate younger talent into the firm. Marcus Arundell (pictured), managing


director of HomeLets, knows all about giving the future generation a chance. Having acquired the company from his parents in 2014, he now oversees the strategic direction and interests of the company. The team has always benefitted from


Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and staying up-to-date on the industry’s ever changing legislative landscape, but Marcus believes it is important for the business to attract and train young people and upskill the existing workforce, to ensure they compete with the competition: “Any business looking to stay ahead of the competition needs a great team,” he said. “With the increasing use of technology within our market place, it has never been more important to introduce the right people to our business. “Upskilling and improving our workforce is essential when driving our firm forwards at all times.”


Businesses may also ask themselves about


the benefits of working with young people, new entrants or returners, and Marcus tells us what his business gains: “It allows us to seek feedback on our own internal processes from fresh eyes. We also give back to the community and impart property specific knowledge and learning to candidates who may be interested in a career in the real estate field.” Businesses need to start thinking about skills development and training in their business now, says Marcus. “Without paying serious thought to enhancing and developing your team, you run the risk of becoming stagnant. By investing time, effort and resources into this crucial area,


you are laying the foundations for solid structures that, alongside your offering, should equal success.” People are key to productivity and business


growth. Here in the West of England, the low unemployment rate often means businesses struggle to find employees with the correct skills. This is where Skills West can help. Our skills advisers will help to identify and


tackle skills gaps in businesses. We connect them with local and national training providers to ensure they get the most relevant, quality training. Whether they’re looking to take on an apprentice, up-skill existing staff or attract new staff with the right skills and knowledge, we can signpost them to organisations and funding which most businesses don’t even know exist. With the help of skills adviser, Jenny Linaker, HomeLets now think twice about their current skills and development framework, including


how best to facilitate the introduction of a younger team to take the business forward. HomeLets are now able to look at gaps within


the business and better understand the requirements to fulfil these, especially when focusing on apprenticeships and bringing new junior talent into their firm. Marcus gave us these three top tips for upskilling and developing your people: 1. Ask yourself: What are you lacking that perhaps could be developed with your current team? 2. Investing in your team is investing in your most important asset 3. Enabling and empowering your workforce will assist in achieving future goals If, like HomeLets, you want to start thinking differently about the skills and development frameworks in your business, get in touch with the Skills West team today: skillswest@businesswest.co.uk


Insight on your sector’s skills challenges


We have compiled our annual Local Sector Skills Statements reports on local sector knowledge and expertise, plus wider regional and national intelligence. Gain insight about skills challenges in your sector, notable achievements and skills priorities and objectives for 2017. Each of the reports address the following themes:


• Improve Careers Education Information Advice & Guidance (CEIAG)


• Improve the quality and local responsiveness of education and training


• Increase apprenticeship starts and improve access to higher and degree apprenticeships


• Engage SMEs to boost productivity and build capacity for growth


• Promote pathways for employment to enhance equality and diversity in the workforce


20 insight NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017


The themes have been defined by the west of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).


To download your sector report, visit our website www.businesswest.co.uk/skills reports


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