This month, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) warned that the UK could face up to two years of labour shortages across a broad range of sectors, from entry level jobs to high-level technical roles. With the furlough scheme concluding at the end of September, it is widely acknowledged that the initial predictions of 12.5% unemployment post-furlough will be inaccurate.
Official unemployment figures show a continued fall. The Bank of England has forecast a rise to only 5.5% unemployment post-September at the end of the scheme. Recruitment companies across the UK are reporting a significant shortage of talent. The impact of Brexit, along with the slowdown of talent development brought on by Covid-19, can not be ignored. It is estimated that over 1.3 million non-UK workers have left the UK over the last 18 months, and many will not return.
In a recent skills report commissioned by the Greater Manchester Employment and Skills Advisory Panel, it was indicated that one in five employment vacancies in Greater Manchester are linked to skills shortages, and it is widely accepted that key sectors in the region such as construction, digital and adult care have huge talent supply issues, threatening the Covid-19 comeback success significantly.
Work with the Salford City College Group to secure your future talent
Businesses across the region are reaching out to Salford City College Group to discuss and develop strategic partnerships, identify opportunities, and look to secure a supply of their most precious resource, talent. Allan Milne, Director of Business Development and Apprenticeships at Salford City College Group, commented: “Over the last six months, the number of employers contacting us to discuss talent development, succession planning and skills shortages has increased significantly.
For too long, the General Further Education sector has been undervalued in the talent development marketplace; this is changing. We have 12,000 students per year all seeking one of two things – some want to progress into Higher Education, whilst others want to develop the best skills, knowledge and behaviours possible to allow them to enter the labour market.”
Salford City College Group has positioned itself over the last decade to support predicted shortages in these key sectors. Millions of pounds have been spent developing learning resources across the Group’s five College sites to support this. One of these venues, FutureSkills at MediaCityUK, has evolved from initially being one-building six years ago to a three-building campus, delivering exceptional vocational and higher-level skills across the digital, creative and professional services sectors. Another of the College Group’s sites, City Skills, has been re-developed and improved to accommodate almost 1,000 students and apprentices.
Determined to drive forward and consistently improve alignment to local, regional, and national businesses, the College is pushing ahead with investment in developing the Salford City College Group Business Centre. The Business Centre will be the catalyst and home for increased strategic partnership work with hundreds of employers. The Centre can be used for hosting events, networking activity and conferences as well as being a resource for employer partners to use operationally for meetings and work activity.
Located in Salford Quays, the Business Centre will become a huge asset and prominent resource for the College’s four new Work Experience and Employability Co-ordinators, who are working with employers across the region to ensure students can progress through College and into fulfilling careers.
To work with Salford City College Group, get in touch by emailing apprenticeships@salfordcc.ac.uk or calling 0161 631 5555, or visit our website at www.salfordcc.ac.uk
