SKILLS


New skills are the key to growth for businesses


East Midlands’ Millennials need new skills including collaboration, adaptability and resilience, according to a report by business and financial adviser Grant Thornton. The rise of Artificial Intelligence


(AI), potential skills shortages due to Brexit, and high employment, all spell rapid changes to work, according to Grant Thornton’s People Power report, which says identified ‘new skills’, as well as technical skills, will be in demand from the region’s growing businesses. “Our report revealed businesses


whose turnover increased by more than 20% in the past year identify talent and skills as key accelerators, but also barriers to, growth, with three-quarters (75%) saying recruiting talent is a challenge in their organisation,” said Chris Frostwick, Practice Leader of Grant Thornton’s East Midlands office. “The report found one-in-two


employers have difficulty recruiting,


Government funds construction jobs


Government funding of £1m has been given to Nottingham to get more people into construction training and jobs. Partners in Nottingham have


been given a slice of a £22m funding pot, which will be used to launch construction academies with Nottingham College. These academies will bring


L-R: Grant Thornton’s Ellie Burford and Jenny Blackwell at the Grant Thornton event


while 92% don’t have the skills within their business they will require over the next five years.” Grant Thornton hosted an event


at its East Midlands office in Leicester to discuss the findings of the People Power report. “The session built a better


understanding of the challenges local businesses are facing,” said


Volunteer in schools and access top talent


Ever wondered what young people are told about the world of work at school and, specifically, your sector? Created in 2015 by Government,


the Careers and Enterprise Company offers high impact careers and enterprise support for young people, working in collaboration with LEPs and partners across England. Evidence suggests a young


person who has four or more encounters with an employer is 86% less likely to be unemployed or not in education or training. The benefit to employers is that they can access a pipeline of talent well prepared to make the transition from education to work.


VOLUNTEER AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE The role is rewarding and doesn’t take much time. As an enterprise adviser, you will: • Be matched with a school in your area


• Work with a head teacher or careers team to develop a careers strategy


• Share insights about job opportunities and the key skills local and national businesses need


• Benefit from ongoing training, peer support from other volunteers and networking events


One such adviser is Allison


Kemp, Managing Director at Chamber member A.I.M. Commercial Services. She said: “I have undertaken the role in a local secondary school as I feel it is important to raise young people's awareness of our industry as they are our future.”


Allison Kemp


For more information, visit www.careersandenterprise.co.uk/em ployers


business network February 2019 57


Jenny Blackwell, Business Partner at Grant Thornton. “Our report identifies the main


barriers to talent attraction and retention facing fast growth businesses - finding people with the right mindset to drive growth; competing for in-demand talent; and equipping people for the workplace of the future.”


training to construction sites - allowing learners to apply their knowledge in a real-world environment. The bid was led by Nottingham


College, along with partners Nottingham City Homes, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham City Council, Wates Construction and local construction firm Robert Woodhead. James Whybrow (pictured),


Nottingham College Vice Principal, said: This funding will give local people the opportunity to develop their skills on site and secure jobs in construction.”


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