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BUSINESS WEST – CONNECTING BUSINESSES BUSINESS SUPPORT Advice and support from Business West


Helping you to navigate your way through Brexit


In October 2018, Business West launched Trading Through Brexit to help businesses cut through the confusion and enable better planning for trading through Brexit and beyond. The site - www.tradingthroughbrexit.co.uk -


offers businesses a dedicated hub from which to access vital information and advice, including a series of videos, FAQs and guides. Led by Business West Director of


Policy Matt Griffith, an experienced business adviser with expertise in trade negotiations and economy policy, together with a team of experienced international trade experts, Trading Through Brexit is a free guidance service that you can trust, that aims to deliver the latest planning information as negotiations and eventual EU exit unfold.


‘Trading


Through Brexit is a free guidance


service that you can trust’


addressing as many questions as


Your questions answered In addition, the service allows businesses to submit questions directly to our team of experts via the platform, on how Brexit might impact their business. Having received an outstanding response since launch the team have been busy


possible, ranging from VAT issues to


importing food, from providing suppliers with contingency plans to loss of a skilled workforce. We share these with you through regular


updates and through a series of information designed to help you and other businesses understand your options and be better prepared for the future.


You can register at www.tradingthroughbrexit.co.uk to submit a question or to sign up for regular updates. We’ll keep you informed through regular emails, providing a round-up of key topics raised through questions, trade related insights and links to resources.


A breakdown of the skills challenges affecting businesses in the West of England has been released by Skills West, a Business West and West of England Local Enterprise Partnership initiative. Over 1,600 companies and stakeholders


The skills challenges facing your sector Have


across the West of England have contributed to the statements, giving a unique and insightful view into current skills issues and priorities for businesses in the region. The statements provide an overview of the skills and recruitment challenges faced by businesses during 2017/8, as well as possible solutions and partnerships to address them. They also highlight notable achievements and developments in skills as well as celebrate success stories in the West of England. The statements are now available to


download on the Business West website here: www.businesswest.co.uk/grow/people-and- skills/local-sector-skills-statements and cover


18 insight JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019


the following sectors: advanced engineering and aerospace, construction, creative and digital, distribution, health and life sciences, high tech, low carbon, professional and financial services, retail, rural and food economy, social enterprise and visitor economy. They further look at the role of careers


education information advice and guidance, provide an overview of the quality and responsiveness of local education and training, the level of apprenticeship starts, productivity and capacity for growth, and diversity in the workforce. The statements aim to help education and


training leaders develop training that meets the needs of the West of England economy, as well as improving careers information. By providing up-to-date labour market intelligence, they also help businesses to make informed workforce planning and resourcing decisions, identifying key areas for training and continuing professional development investment.


your say


Would you like to have your say on skills challenges in your sector? Skills West has launched the Business


Skills and Training Survey 2018. Your responses will help the team put together the 2019 Local Sector Skills Statements and will also feed into the overall West of England Skills Strategy. What’s more, every entry will be entered into a prize draw to win a team experience day!


You can take part here: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Insight19


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