Business News


Sponsored by: Birmingham Education Partnership


Preparing young people for the fast-changing world of work


By Mike Pipe, senior enterprise coordinator


Our role is to link schools and colleges to employers and help them to deliver world class careers support for all young people by:


• Building networks: linking schools and colleges to employers and other external careers providers through the Enterprise Adviser Network and careers hubs.


• Supporting careers leaders: providing training and support for careers leaders in schools and colleges.


• Backing the Gatsby Benchmarks: supporting implementation of a best practice standard for careers support, the Gatsby Benchmarks, with tools and targeted funding.


Our enterprise adviser network matches schools and colleges with senior business volunteers to help create powerful, lasting partnerships between schools, colleges, employers and careers programme providers. As an enterprise adviser, you will take your passion for raising the aspirations of young people and combine it with your skills and strategic thinking. Throughout your journey,


you will be supported by one of our trained enterprise coordinators. The enterprise coordinator builds the relationship with the school or college, offers training to you in your role, looks after day-to- day organisation, and offers advice on which resources and careers programmes work best. The enterprise coordinator is typically employed by either a Local Enterprise Partnership or a local business organisation and brings with them a large business network you can access.


If you are interested in becoming an enterprise adviser, please contact Mike Pipe at Michael.pipe@bep.education.com or call on 07717 316661


26 CHAMBERLINK November 2019


Dearth of skilled labour continues to increase…


By John Lamb


An increase in the number of Greater Birmingham manufacturers unable to recruit skilled labour is revealed in a new report. The number of firms that experienced recruitment difficulties over the past three months rose to 81 per cent compared to just over half (54 per cent) in the previous quarter, according to the latest Quarterly Economic Business Report by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), sponsored by Birmingham City University (BCU).


‘The chaos emanating from Westminster continues to have a direct impact on local business output’


The figures had improved after recruitment difficulties reached a peak in the last quarter of 2018 at 95 per cent but shot back up in Quarter Three this year, according to the report, sponsored by Birmingham City University. Raj Kandola, senior policy and patron advisor at the


GBCC, said: “It’s very disappointing but perhaps not surprising to see the notable increase in the percentage of manufacturers facing recruitment difficulties.” Sales among manufactures were also down at home


and abroad. Only 26 per cent of manufacturers increased orders over the past three months compared with nearly half (46 per cent) in Q2. There was a similar picture in future orders.


And export demand also softened among


manufacturers with firms reporting increased sales falling to 32 per cent compared with 54 per cent in Q2. Orders were similarly impacted with a drop from 39 per cent in Q2 to 23 per cent in Q3. The service sector managed to maintain sales better


with 45 per cent reporting increased sales against 46 per cent in Q2 and order held up at 37 per cent reported increased again 45 per cent in Q2. Paul Faulkner, chief executive of the GBCC, said:


“Price pressures continued to present issues for the majority of businesses in Greater Birmingham and confidence levels also took a hit as the chaos emanating from Westminster continues to have a direct impact on local business output. “The uncertainty created by the Government’s


attempts to leave the European Union is still listed as a pressing concern for local companies struggling to overcome the economic headwinds associated with this.” Professor Julian Beer, deputy vice-chancellor at BCU,


said: “Groundhog Day would be an apt description for the third quarter of 2019, in terms of continued stability in both sales and forward orders, despite continued political uncertainty as a new Prime Minster took office. “Overall, however, the survey results paint a positive


picture of regional business resilience despite an uncertain operating environment.”


For any further questions on the report, contact Raj Kandola on 0121 607 1814 or r.kandola@birmingham- chamber.com Join the conversation by following @grbhamchambers and using #GBCCQBR


…but the region is still adapting


QBR speakers (left to right): Diana Frangou, Paul Faulkner, Melissa Wright and Raj Kandola, senior policy and patron adviser from the Chamber


The resilience of businesses across the region came under the microscope at the launch of the latest QBR (see story above). The launch shone a light on what


businesses are doing to remain resilient and adapt to change. Diana Frangou, a partner at


accountancy firm RSM, provided an overview of some of the risks businesses are being exposed to,


such as fraud, late payment, reduced credit insurance limits and the domino effect failures of larger firms can cause on the supply chain.


Melissa Wright, UK business


excellence manager at National Express, revealed measures the transport operator has taken to remain resilient and adapt to passenger needs.


These have included major


investment in contactless payment on buses, harnessing the creativity of its people and listening to feedback. Paul Faulkner, chief executive of


the GBCC, said: “Business resilience is being severely tested in the current climate, given the uncertainty caused by Brexit and political instability.”


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