CHAMBER NEWS
BCC publishes Quarterly International Trade Outlook report
The British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with Chamber Strategic Partner DHL, recently published its latest Quarterly International Trade Outlook, based on survey and documentation data from UK exporters. The Outlook shows exporters are being hampered by widespread labour shortages, particularly in manufacturing, where two-thirds of firms struggled to recruit in the first quarter of 2018. Both sectors are being severely
hampered by the prevalence of skills shortages. Of those recruiting, 66% of manufacturers and 57% of services exporters are struggling to find the right staff, according to the survey of over 3,300 exporters. In the manufacturing sector, the greatest difficulty was in finding skilled manual and technical labour (66%) and in the services sector, it was professional and managerial level positions (53%). Addressing the growing skills gap
is a joint responsibility for business, Government and the education sector – and was a key component of the Chamber’s recent successful Employability and Skills Summit. Companies themselves can do more to invest in training, but to do
that they need to be confident that the apprenticeship and training system is fit for purpose – particularly with regard to the apprenticeship levy and the implementation of new frameworks, where businesses have raised significant issues to Government in recent months. The continued lack of clarity over
future immigration rules – and business access to skills from overseas – is also a key issue where urgent action is required. The survey also shows that in the
manufacturing sector, growth in export sales and orders remain stable, while they slowed slightly for the services sector in the first quarter of 2018. Elsewhere, the BCC/DHL Trade
Confidence Index, which measures the volume of trade documents issued by accredited Chambers of Commerce - including East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) - for goods shipments, increased by 2.24% on the quarter, and stands at the second highest level on record. Key findings from the report
include the fact that 42% of exporting manufacturers and 28% of exporting service firms reported increased export sales in Q1, while
42% of exporting manufacturers and 25% of exporting service firms reported increased export orders. However 68% of exporting
manufacturers and 53% of services had attempted to recruit in the past three months, of those, nearly two- thirds reported difficulty finding staff - 66% and 57% respectively. Dr Adam Marshall (pictured),
Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “At a time of significant uncertainty and change, it’s pleasing to be able to report that many UK exporters are doing well. Yet many tell us that
their future prospects are being constrained because it’s becoming harder and harder to recruit the people they need to grow. “Businesses with global ambitions are facing critical skills gaps at just about every level. “A stable training system, a
reformed apprenticeship levy, answers to practical questions around Brexit and clarity on the UK’s future immigration regime are urgently needed. “Get these right, and exporters
all across the UK will take risks, invest and grow.”
THE TOOLS FOR TRADING The East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) award- winning International Trade team can help businesses realise their international ambitions – including a wide range of accredited, up-to- date training courses designed to help businesses succeed and grow.
To view all International Trade services offered by the Chamber to its members, including training options, visit the dedicated International Trade section of the Chamber’s new website at www.emc-
dnl.co.uk/enabling-international-trade
Applications open for Assessors Guild scheme
The Chamber’s Skills and Apprenticeship Quality Manager, Ruth Anderson, is one of only seven individuals so far to have put forward applications for a new Assessors Guild pilot scheme. The Assessors Guild is the professional body for assessors, tasked with
ensuring the assessment and assessors of all training reaches the high standards expected by learners and employers. Launching in November, it will be the new professional body for
standards in assessment and verification and is carrying out a pilot process for applications. On behalf of the Chamber, Ruth has offered to pilot all levels of membership and Chamber Training delivery staff will be invited to take part in this crucial process – membership levels will range from Member; Registered Practitioner; Managing Practitioner and Fellow. Since the apprenticeship reforms in May 2017, the need has arisen for an
update for standards and best practice for non-teaching learning delivery. Corporate membership to the Assessors Guild will also be a Kitemark for
accredited training. Ruth said: “The Assessors Guild is the professional body for assessors
and as such, it is important that we engage with this process at the earliest possible stage and I am pleased we’ll be able to achieve this through the pilot application process. “The Chamber Training team is dedicated and committed to providing
exceptional support to learners and employers and this is a great way of ensuring we are fully on board and aligned to professional standards.”
26 business network July/August 2018 The Chamber Training
team assists learners at all stages of their careers
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