Chief Executive of The Bedford College
Group, Yiannis Koursis OBE, said: “We are a catalyst, igniting the region’s potential to thrive and transforming it into a dynamic power- house of talent and skill. Providing an expertly trained workforce is crucial to the success of the region, government, regional partnerships, local authorities, employers and businesses. By off ering a range of education and training to those who have recently left school, to higher apprenticeships for those who may have been employed for some years, local colleges are able to improve not only the opportunities for individuals themselves but for their employers in the South East Midlands.” Many companies that do engage quickly
become advocates, especially when they realise they can help shape the training. Mariya Heaney from Wicksteed Park
said: “Our partnership with Moulton College benefits Wicksteed Park because we’ve got some great apprentices who have then become seasonal workers and in turn have become permanent staff . It’s enabled us to successfully plan the future for Wicksteed Park and to acquire the permanent staff we need with the right skills and attitude, and it’s really helped with our recruitment.” The Delivering Skills, Boosting Business
campaign has come out of the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) for the region, put together in consultation with local authorities, colleges and universities, employers, business groups and trade bodies, including Bedfordshire and Luton, and Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire Chambers of Commerce. It identifi ed areas where the need was greatest, including digital and green skills, healthcare and logistics – sectors in which the group has highly respected capabilities. T e new research will investigate what the barriers are to companies coming forward for help. Meanwhile, the colleges have launched a new online portal as a one-stop shop for companies looking to recruit, or train up existing staff , which will point them towards the help they need, and the college to provide it. T e colleges’ deeper understanding of local
and regional skills needs come from being embedded in their communities. Most of their students and learners are local to them, and they inhabit the same ecosystem as local businesses. Many businesses today want to future-proof
their workforce and recognise the need to not just create and access a future talent pipeline but also to develop their existing people.
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Some employers like to be even more
hands-on with training, off ering themselves as industry experts to help refi ne those bespoke, sector or company-specifi c skills. It also helps them to become more integrated into their communities. It means everything taught is completely up-to-date and precisely what’s needed for now and tomorrow.
To fi nd out more, scan the QR code or visit
www.deliveringskills.co.uk
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