Opinion MULTI-SKILLED 90 New entry SMD Textiles, Preston
Founded in 1987, SMD has grown from its family- owned roots to become a leader in the interior textiles market. It specialises in high performance contract textiles for commercial projects and premium fabrics for homes. It is best known for its ILIV brand, launched in 2013 and today one of the UK’s leading brands. The group employs 67.
89 New entry
West Lancashire Electrical Group, Poulton-le-Fylde
Since it began life in 2012 the business has evolved into a leading provider of electrical and mechanical engineering solutions, offering nationwide facilities maintenance services and fully integrated MEP building services. Its mechanical division was established in 2016 and it has a 56-strong workforce.
Continued on Page 58 By Linda Dean
Managing director of the Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology (IoT)
The most successful businesses in Lancashire are addressing skills shortages by reimagining what job roles look like.
Attracting the right talent and continuing to invest in their skills as needs evolve is the key to unlocking growth across the region.
The IoT, a collaboration of eight colleges and three universities, works with businesses to provide technical training sectors need.
From our work with businesses, we can see a trend for multi-skilled roles, which blend traditional technical skills with emerging technologies.
Manufacturers, for example, now need employees that can combine knowledge of manual roles with digital skills to enable
them to programme machinery. Healthcare workers using digital methods of capturing data require the ability to analyse that data to spot patterns that will enable them to provide better care.
In almost every sector, digital fluency is no longer optional, it’s essential. We’re also seeing businesses increasingly prioritising soft skills and employability.
Our role, as an IoT, is to make sure the training we offer evolves just as fast as the jobs themselves and collaboration is essential to bridging these gaps.
To read our findings on the region’s skills gaps, now and in the future, download the IoT’s Skills Barometer 2025 by visiting our website
www.landciot.ac.uk
ROLES ARE KEY TO UNLOCKING GROWTH
Download the Skills Barometer
2025 today
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landciot.ac.uk
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