Latest news with #LocalSkillsImprovementPlan
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cumbria Tourism attends King's Garden Party at Buckingham Palace
The Cumbria Tourism team recently attended His Majesty the King's Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in recognition of its work improving access to employment, skills development and career opportunities within the visitor economy. Rachel Tyson, Cumbria Tourism's Head of Partnerships & Projects attended His Majesty the King's Garden Party at Buckingham Palace along with Partnerships & Project Executive, Molly Hill to recognise their work with young people to improve access to employment, skills development and career opportunities. The invitation reflects Cumbria Tourism's wide-ranging efforts to tackle one of the most urgent challenges facing the sector, recruitment and retention. (L) Molly Hill, partnerships and project executive at Cumbria Tourism, and (R) Rachel Tyson, managing director (Image: Supplied) From the aftermath of Brexit and the pandemic to the evolving needs of the modern workforce, the organisation has been leading initiatives to futureproof the £4.7 billion visitor economy. These include: The Tourism Talent Hub, developed in partnership with local colleges and universities, to connect jobseekers with live vacancies, skills bootcamps, and on-the-job training opportunities. Close collaboration with local schools, retirement-age workers, and job centres to engage people at all life stages, from students to those seeking a second career. Running and promoting Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) to support those re-entering the workforce. Queen Camilla at the Garden Party (Image: Supplied) Working with employers to provide real job placements and interview opportunities at careers fairs and recruitment events across Cumbria. Partnering with charities including Growing Well Cumbria and People First to deliver employer training and provide tailored support for wellbeing, mental health, and inclusive employment. Supporting ex-offenders by providing direct routes into hospitality roles, helping people rebuild their lives through employment. King Charles at the garden party (Image: Supplied) Ms Tyson says: 'It was a real honour to be invited to Buckingham Palace and to represent Cumbria Tourism, our members and partners. "This recognition reflects the collective effort to make the visitor economy more inclusive, resilient and accessible to all. 'Whether it's supporting someone back into work, offering a young person their first step into the industry, or giving someone a second chance through employment, we're committed to making tourism a career option for everyone, not just a short-term job. 'Being recognised at this national level is a reminder of how important this work is, and how much it matters to the communities and businesses we serve.' Supported by Local Skills Improvement Plan, through Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, UK Shared Prosperity Fund in partnership with Westmorland & Furness Council and Cumberland Council, Cumbria Tourism is committed to delivering long-term, practical solutions to tackle the skills gap and create meaningful career opportunities across the tourism and hospitality sector.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Whole generation is at risk' - Cumbria Chamber backs calls to fix Gen Z jobs crisis
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has responded to the release of a report warning of a "lost generation" unless the government takes urgent action to tackle the employment crisis affecting young people. The new report, published by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), has called for action to remove barriers preventing almost a million people in Generation Z from engaging with work, education, and contributing to society. The BCC is urging ministers to invest in support to help young people into work, support SMEs to take on and train young people, increase workplace health support for businesses, and set a target to reduce the proportion of young people not in employment, education, or training (NEETs) to that of the Netherlands. The report, produced by the BCC's People and Work Challenge Group, says that tackling the NEET challenge could add £69bn to UK output. It also calls for the Government to align its response to the issue across all departments, saying that the problem is likely to worsen in the short term. According to the report, only 13 per cent of businesses currently have specific recruitment, training, or retention plans for under 25s. The BCC believes SMEs, in particular, are missing out on the benefits of a "targeted approach" to youth employment. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows the number of NEETs has risen by more than 110,000 between the end of 2023 and 2024. In October to December 2024, there were 987,000 NEETs, including 392,000 unemployed and 595,000 economically inactive. Suzanne Caldwell, managing director of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and lead for Cumbria's Local Skills Improvement Plan, said: "The situation here in Cumbria is significantly less bad than the national picture. "There were 306 young people classed as NEET in February 2025, which is 22 fewer than in January. She added: "But those Cumbria figures do hide pockets of particular challenge and we're failing our young people if we don't address them. Ms Caldwell concluded: "Unless more comprehensive action is taken a whole generation is at risk of being cut loose from society."
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Devon needs AI skills for growth'
Giving people AI skills is essential for future growth in Devon, a business expert has said. Ronnie Carter, from the Devon & Somerset Local Skills Improvement Plan, said AI was "already reshaping industries". "Ensuring our regional workforce has the right skills to harness its potential is critical for future growth," he said. He was speaking at the one-day Lifein AI exhibition in Devonport, Plymouth, which brought together businesses, educators and industry leaders. Lifein AI organisers said it was a chance to experience the future first-hand, from seeing caring robots to dancing dogs. Christina Wilkins, founder of branding firm Brand Biscuit Studio, said fostering innovation and growth in the south-west of England was "essential". "By bringing together businesses, educators and the community, we can support a deeper understanding of AI and its exciting potential to shape our future," she said. A study by Accenture said that, while 97% of businesses recognised the urgent need to adopt AI, only 15% felt truly AI-ready. Lifein AI co-organiser Matt Fleming said: "AI is so important to our lives and it's only going to get more sophisticated as we go forward. "It's going to change how businesses operating efficiencies, but it's also changing everyday lives." Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ UK 'heading towards a digital skills disaster' PM plans to 'unleash AI' across UK to boost growth School pupils set for AI and digital skills hubs Lifein AI Devon & Somerset Local Skills Improvement Plan
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'Devon needs AI skills for growth'
Giving people AI skills is essential for future growth in Devon, a business expert has Carter, from the Devon & Somerset Local Skills Improvement Plan, said AI was "already reshaping industries"."Ensuring our regional workforce has the right skills to harness its potential is critical for future growth," he was speaking at the one-day Lifein AI exhibition in Devonport, Plymouth, which brought together businesses, educators and industry leaders. Lifein AI organisers said it was a chance to experience the future first-hand, from seeing caring robots to dancing Wilkins, founder of branding firm Brand Biscuit Studio, said fostering innovation and growth in the south-west of England was "essential"."By bringing together businesses, educators and the community, we can support a deeper understanding of AI and its exciting potential to shape our future," she said.A study by Accenture said that, while 97% of businesses recognised the urgent need to adopt AI, only 15% felt truly AI-ready. Lifein AI co-organiser Matt Fleming said: "AI is so important to our lives and it's only going to get more sophisticated as we go forward. "It's going to change how businesses operating efficiencies, but it's also changing everyday lives."
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK government invests $774.9m to train up to 60,000 construction workers
The UK's national government has unveiled a £600m ($774.9m) investment aimed at training up to 60,000 additional skilled workers in the domestic construction sector. This funding package encompasses £100m for the establishment of ten new Technical Excellence Colleges and £165m to support existing colleges in delivering more construction courses. Furthermore, 'Skills Bootcamps' will receive an expansion with £100m of funding, facilitating new entrants, returners, and current workers to upskill within the industry. Meanwhile, all regions involved in the Local Skills Improvement Plan will benefit from a £20m investment to foster partnerships between colleges and construction companies. The domestic construction sector is also set to be a beneficiary of new foundation apprenticeships, supported by an additional £40m, launching this August. These apprenticeships aim to introduce more young people to the industry and provide them with the necessary skills for advanced apprenticeships and a career. Employers will receive an incentive of £2,000 for every foundation apprentice they hire and retain in the sector. This is in addition to the full funding of training costs through the new Growth and Skills Levy. An additional £100m of government funding, complemented by a £32m contribution from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), will help finance more than 40,000 industry placements each year for learners at various educational levels. The government will also sponsor a new Construction Skills Mission Board, co-chaired by the government and Mark Reynolds, executive chair of Mace. The board will be tasked with developing and executing a construction skills action plan and providing strategic leadership to the sector. CITB chief executive Tim Balcon said: 'We are delighted with the support the government is giving the construction sector with increased investment. This package will provide vital support, where it is needed most - it will cut straight to the heart of the construction industry being able to address the challenge of building 1.5 million new homes for people that desperately need them. 'As an industry, we now need to grasp this opportunity and play our part in delivering it. I genuinely believe this is a once-in-a-generation chance to us to recruit and train our workforce - equipping more people with the skills they urgently need now and in the future.' Last December, the UK government introduced planning changes to accelerate the delivery of new homes as part of Labour's Plan for Change, aiming to build 1.5 million new homes and boost economic growth. "UK government invests $774.9m to train up to 60,000 construction workers" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
