The Northern Workforce Development
Forum works to bridge the Skills gap

The Northern Workforce Development Forum hosted a successful event on the 1st of March 2010 to provide solutions to skills gaps across priority skills sectors including Engineering, Construction, Retail, Hospitality & Tourism and Leisure.

Representatives from local businesses, Sector Skills Councils, Department for Employment and Learning, Northern Regional College and Invest NI came together to clarify the specific skills shortages and define training interventions to resolve the skills gaps that local businesses currently face.

Research conducted by Oxford Economics and the Sector Skills Council’s outlined 3 key themes Leadership and Management, Essential Skills and Softer Skills as being common skills gaps across the sectors.

The workshop session provided further support to the research and to ensure that local businesses have an input into the design of training solutions. Graham Whitehurst, Chair of the Northern Workforce Development Forum and Director of Operational Excellence for Michelin Worldwide commented;

‘It is important that we work together in this region to come up with solutions to the skills gaps we face. By working in partnership we can increase the skills of the local workforce, secure employment and build a more competitive region where people want to come to live and work.’

To arrange a free Training Needs Analysis or to discuss your training needs please contact our Economic Engagement Manager Nicola Rowles on 028 79395238 or via email nicola.rowles@nrc.ac.uk.