Demand led approach unites business and government in a common goal

Hailed as a pioneering approach to tackling skills shortfalls in business, the Local Skills for Productivity Alliance (LSPA), or the Skills Alliance as it is known locally, is a unique organisation offering businesses in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight the opportunity to voice their concerns over workforce skills issues. When common skills issues affect business performance then the Skills Alliance wants hear about them.

From horticulture to advanced engineering, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are home to a diverse range of business sectors each with its own set of challenges. Therein, growth and prosperity remain at the forefront of business and government agendas. With this in mind the Skills Alliance was established to unite employers and the public sector in a common goal of tackling skills shortages and developing a direct response to these issues.

Robert Hillier, OBE, has a dual role as regional stakeholder and employer. He is both Chairman of the LSPA, and Chairman and Managing Director of Hillier Nurseries Limited. He said;

“For the first time business leaders and government partners are uniting in a common cause to tackle skills issues head on. The result is that a new approach to involving the business community has been a resounding success with skills gaps being identified and acted on by the public sector.”

“Businesses are challenging presumptions about training, identifying common skill shortages, and influencing the design of training programmes. Government partners are providing both practical and financial support. The LSPA has worked tirelessly to involve business people from the start and to ensure that employers' skills needs remain center stage.”

Hillier Nurseries was founded in 1864 and remains a strong regional employer in the south of England. Through his involvement with the LSPA, Mr Hillier openly encourages other businesses to join the Skills Alliance, as by simply taking part they will benefit.

“Many employers are unaware of the existence of publicly funded training programmes which could influence the success or failure of their business. Too often in industry the training and development of staff falls by the wayside. But employers should get involved in developing their staff, as this has a direct impact on their bottom-line as well as the UK economy as a whole.”

“The LSPA gives business a voice.Employers will see a direct and flexible response from the public sector to tackling their skills issues in the workforce." The next step for the Skills Alliance is the publication of results from the business skills research. These results, combined with direct feedback from employers, will help highlight future skills challenges facing companies in the region.”

If you would like to know more or wish to discuss skills issues in your business sector then please contact Peter Grant, Skills Alliance Project Manager, telephone 01489 558572.