Information for Employers
Labour markets are increasingly dynamic in the modern era and as
such training has become even more vital to cope with changes in
demand. Employers need access to up to date and relevant labour
market information as well as a supply of trained staff if they are
to meet the challenges of globalisation and competition.
Many factors are contributing to skills gaps internationally.
Demographic change is a serious problem: falling birth rates and a
rapidly ageing workforce is already having major impact in many
parts of the developed world. The speed of technological innovation
and business change is increasing, affecting not only companies
with an international focus, but local and regional ones as
well.
More than ever, companies have to be agile and responsive to
change. Employers need to devise incentives to not only recruit,
but also retain staff in a highly competitive environment.
Similarly, employers need to create sound opportunities for older
workers, non-employed people and those returning to work.
Companies often invest in training for their most highly skilled
workers, but investment in up-skilling employees with fewer skills
is also critical. Where companies now need to compete on the basis
of productivity and innovation, giving an employee access to skills
is a very real investment. Access to learning and development can
increase staff productivity and engagement, ultimately benefiting
the bottom line.
City & Guilds Centre for Skills Development wants to work
with companies and facilitate a dialogue between employers and
practitioners to ensure that training is robust and relevant to
industry needs and, working in conjunction with policy makers, new
and effective strategies for the future can be put in place to
build a demand led market.
The Centre for Skills Development uses research and consultation
with skills specialists to share examples of good practice in
skills training internationally. These examples can be adapted to
workplaces and used to help organisations maximise their training
potential.