College hosts Skills Summit

Immediate and collaborative action is required to tackle the skills gap in the area, the Furness Skills Summit hosted at Furness College was told.

Many positive programmes and initiatives are already being successfully delivered – but they must be retained and continue to be aligned to strengthen the overall impact.

The summit aims to find solutions to the higher level skills gap in Cumbria and featured a range of top level delegates.

It heard that with a joined-up approach to engaging with young people and their families – from early years learning through to further and higher education – a positive impact can be made.

And that will ensure issues surrounding employment prospects, health, prosperity and aspirations can start to be positively addressed, delegates heard.

Jayne Moorby, the chair of the Furness Education and Skills Partnership (FESP), which organised the event, said: “At a time when we all seem to be busier than ever, more than 60 people, many in senior positions, took time out of their day to hold proactive conversations about how we can tackle this issue.

“We have employers across multiple sectors having to curtail their activities due to a shortage of staff. And we have a higher than average number of young people who are out of work and need guidance and support to coach them to a position when they are ready to be employed.

“This is a complex issue and not one that we will solve overnight. But today’s summit was a fantastic starting point and through quality conversation and debate, we have a roadmap to the next stage.

“It will require collaboration and vision – but I am confident we can move forwards and deliver a meaningful programme of change.”

The Furness Skills Summit was held at the Channelside campus and was a collaborative effort between FESP, Inspira, Cumbria LEP, BAE Systems, The NHS and Cumbria Community Foundation.

The event was held to showcase the breadth of successful work currently being undertaken in Furness and look at how agencies can continue working in partnership to address the area’s ongoing skills gaps along with other issues highlighted in a recent Cumbria Community Foundation (CCF) report.

Opening the eyes of young people to the opportunities that exist in the area – and the pathway to a career in those sectors – was a key discussion point.

Furness College Principal Professor Andrew Wren spoke of the ‘lightbulb’ moment when disengaged young people find their career path through a college course at the Furness Skills Summit at Channelside today. He said new courses such as T Levels – the technical equivalent to 3 A Levels – would support the next generation workforce.

The event heard from Andy Beeforth, the CEO of the Cumbria Community Foundation, who outlined with stark figures, some of the challenges facing the area in terms of health, wealth, employment and prospects.

There were presentations throughout the day from the Cumbria LEP, the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, the University of Cumbria, Cumbria Careers Hub.

Reaching individuals from more deprived backgrounds and engaging with them and their families from an early age was also highlighted as an aspiration.

Julia Winder, Furness Area Operations Manager for Inspira, spoke about building upon the strong foundations already in place.

“The skills gap we face in Furness is an issue that is mirrored across the UK; we are not alone in the challenges we face, but together we must continue to tackle them,” she said.

“Throughout today, we have heard about many fantastic local initiatives, each of them already having a positive impact.

“It was incredibly encouraging to hear the desire for closer and ongoing collaboration between the many partner agencies represented.

“We must retain what is already proving to be successful, otherwise we risk the dial going backwards. We must increase participation in what works and work in partnership to meet the ongoing skills gaps and challenges.

“At Inspira, we deliver a whole range of successful initiatives, including National Citizen Service, National Careers Service, Launchpad – to support unemployed 16-25-year-olds – and The Link, a project that connects young people with employers.

“We already work in partnership with a number of organisations represented at the Furness Skills Summit and we are committed to continuing to do so. I feel positive momentum has been gained today for all concerned.”

More than 35 different organisations were represented at the event. Following the presentations, a series of discussions were held, each to explore ideas that will inform a wider plan linked to the Furness Community Skills Strategy.

The basis of a plan will now start to be developed and there will be a series of short webinars planned to ensure any business or organisation that wishes to find out more can be involved.

If you would like to learn more about the Furness Skills Summit, head to fesp.org.uk/contact