Business News


Report on state of the skills gap


A report on bridging the skills gap in Greater Birmingham is to be published next month by Chamber patrons Robert Walters. Surveying was conducted


by the GBCC, Robert Walters and the GBSLEP Growth Hub towards the end of 2017. The report presents key


findings around who businesses in Greater Birmingham are recruiting, what the key skills gaps are and the strategies employers are using to bridge them. It builds on information published by the GBCC in the Birmingham Economic Review and recent Quarterly Business Report (QBR) findings. Hiring managers world-wide


rely on Robert Walters, a world-leading specialist professional recruitment, to find their best specialist professional. Clients range from the largest corporates to SMEs and start-ups. They recruit people for permanent, contract and interim roles in Birmingham and elsewhere across the world. Paul Faulkner, chief


executive of the GBCC, said: “We are proud to be working with Robert Walters to produce this report. It shows a strong appetite for improvement, and we hope that it will aid us and other organisations in targeting ongoing efforts.” The report, Bridging The


Skills Gaps in Greater Birmingham: How to Avoid Talent Shortages for the Future, will be published on the Robert Walters and GBCC websites.


Growth Through People campaign is launched


A major campaign designed to help businesses address the region’s alarming productivity gap has been launched by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC). Growth Through People is a


month-long campaign of seminars, workshops and leadership content which aims to inspire businesses to develop skills within their organisation and manage employees more effectively. GVA per head in West Midlands


Combined Authority (WMCA) area is £19,423 – nearly £3,500 lower than the national average. At a national level, the UK’s


productivity is 30 per cent lower than the USA and 35 per cent lower than Germany. And new figures from the


GBCC’s Quarterly Business Report for the fourth quarter of 2017 show that just 31 per cent of organisations in the region offer employees formal training opportunities in leadership and/or management skills and techniques. Henrietta Brealey, director of


policy and strategic relationships at GBCC, said: “We are excited to have launched this campaign for the second year running. “People are often a business’


biggest cost – and asset. These latest statistics show that many organisations in Greater Birmingham are not training their employees in leadership and people management, a key component of productivity which feeds into low productivity figures for the region. “We hope that by offering these free sessions, professionals in the


Henrietta Brealey: tackling the productivity gap


‘Many organisations in Greater Birmingham are not training their employees in leadership and people management’


region will take up the opportunity to develop these crucial skills and that, long term, businesses might be encouraged to reconsider investing in them. “The Chamber is striving to


create a real, lasting change to the productivity gap in the region, and as always, to ensure our members are equipped with the best skills to thrive and grow.” GBCC will deliver 20 events over


four weeks in March in partnership with more than 40 organisations across the region. Events will range from intimate, interactive workshops to larger,


Firms must beware of new data laws


A new briefing paper published by the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) offers businesses advice on their potential vulnerability when the new General Data Protection Act (GDPR) comes into force in May. So-called subject access requests under the Act give


people the right to inspect personal data an organisation holds about them. This includes HR records, and internal emails about staff, suppliers and customers. Without proper plans for responding, businesses may have to spend large amounts of time and money reviewing and compiling relevant data. The Information Commissioner’s Office recommends


that organisations train staff on subject access requests and have an individual or team in place responsible for dealing with requests. The GDPR is due to come into force in May and


makes key changes to data protection law, including access requests. The time limit for responding to most of these requests will be reduced from 40 to 30 days.


26 CHAMBERLINK March 2018 This briefing paper summarises the obligations of a


business on subject access requests ensures that members are able to handle the situation. Emily Stubbs, policy and patron adviser at the GBCC,


said: “The Chamber is concerned that managing subject access requests within the new one-month statutory deadline for compliance will be difficult. “Pressure is added by the continued ability of


employees to make speculative subject access requests in anticipation of legal or employment disputes. “I would strongly encourage our members to read


this paper and ensure that within their organisations there are up-to-date procedures in place.”


The GDPR briefing is on GBCC Website (www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com) under research and campaigning, hot topics, subject access requests. • Chamber patrons RSM warn of a wake-up call for businesses. – See Patrons pages 28-29


high-profile panel discussions. All Growth Through People


events are free to attend for Chamber members and non- member businesses. Events include sessions on the


importance of Developing More Female Leaders on International Women’s Day (Thursday 8 March), National Apprenticeship Week events and a ‘Get On Board’ event which will provide an overview of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce’s new pledge to encourage greater diversity at board level (see page 48). The West Midlands Combined


Authority is the official partner for the first week of the campaign, focusing on Growth Through Responsible Leadership. Aston University are sponsoring


Growth Through Attracting & Retaining Talent week. Sponsorship is available for the


third week of the campaign - Growth Through Workplace Environment week. Curium solutions are sponsoring


Growth Through Unlocking Potential week. To ensure Growth Through


People has a lasting impact, the campaign will be followed by the release of new research into business views on leadership and management, and their impact on productivity.


For more information and to register your interest in the Growth Through People events go to the networking and events link at www.greaterbirminghamchambers .com/networking-events


Difficult data deadline: Emily Stubbs


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