08.08.17
Liverpool CA launches commission to reduce skills gap in region
A commission that brings together business and educational leaders, as well as training providers and stakeholders, to develop policies to prepare young people for modern employment has been launched by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
The Skills Commission will shape policy and improve skills provision for young people in the area by coming up with innovative ways of enhancing apprenticeships and training schemes at all levels.
Commissioners have been selected to provide a broad range of expertise, and will look into how city regions elsewhere in the UK and in the world have built successful high-skill economies.
The organisation will also give advice to Steve Rotheram, metro mayor of the area, as well as the combined authority and the Local Enterprise Partnership, to pick out immediate skills needs and longer-term strategies to help businesses expand employment opportunities across Liverpool.
Over the next year, the commission will hear evidence and look in detail at skills provision, reviewing how services are delivered and accessed in the interest of both businesses and learners.
A crucial part of this will be a survey of 900 employers, the results of which will be used to help young people, adults seeking employment as well as parents, teachers and careers advisers better understand the skills that are most needed by employers.
“This is a hugely important part of our overall strategy to create a dynamic and prosperous city region,” said mayor Rotheram. “We are bringing together leaders from business, education and skills to share their knowledge and expertise to make a real and lasting difference to the way we develop skills and realise the potential of our people.
“I am inviting the commission to be bold and challenging and help to raise ambition and aspiration not only for our businesses but for residents in every one of our communities.
“There is outstanding talent and creativity across our city region which we need to nurture to ensure that our people get the chance to reach their full potential.”
And his colleague Cllr Ian Maher, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority portfolio lead for Skills and Apprenticeships, added: “The Liverpool City Region, particularly through the work of the Employment and Skills Board, has achieved a number of successes on employment and skills - in particular our work with partners to reduce youth unemployment.
“However, the pace of business change and the demands placed on all individuals competing in the labour market means that we must continue to be innovative and focused in our approach to creating the conditions for a highly skilled and adaptable workforce, one that helps our city region to stay ahead.”
Top Image: Declan McAleese, Flickr
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