This week is National Apprenticeship Week, an opportunity for education and business to celebrate the achievements of apprentices and the positive impact they make to the community, businesses, and the wider economy with many of them going on to become our future management, and leaders.

A skilled workforce is vital to our economic growth and prosperity and it’s the next generation that we need to equip with the necessary skills to make this happen. Apprenticeships are no longer a second option after higher education and surveys show that most young people would now consider an apprenticeship. Indeed, our universities now offer apprenticeships akin to our further education colleges and UCAS are putting apprenticeships on their website as part of the choices on offer.

As an employer, I still find the process and language around apprenticeships confusing.  For instance, they are available at four levels, starting with intermediate (equivalent to five GCSEs), up to degree level. Why would you start with intermediate? It is so confusing!

The work that we are doing on the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is highlighting these sort of issues as well as what has happened to some Level 3 and 4 in some subjects; how will the different qualifications work together (T-Levels, apprenticeships, degrees, degree apprenticeships, micro-credentials to name a few); how does the funding work and how can a business be subsidised by a levy payer; and how can an employer give and get soft skills for their employees?

I am a fan of what apprenticeships and training can do for business and we have at least 20% of our workforce undertaking training at any one time, I just wish it could be more streamlined and simpler!

We want to address the skills challenges and barriers that local firms are facing when recruiting or upskilling staff so  if you would like to join in the debate and find out more the LSIP contact Suzanne Quinn, who also runs the Chambers HR & Skills Forum; suzanne.quinn@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

It seems perfect timing that National Apprenticeships Week should follow on from the results of the latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Recruitment Outlook for October to December 2022. The survey records the worst recruiting difficulties since the it began in 1989 with the figures showing that more than eight in 10 companies attempting to bring in new employees over the last few months have faced challenges. We are seeing this in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire too, and whilst the recruitment problem is persistent across all sectors, hospitality firms are most likely to face labour market issues followed by manufacturing, construction and professional services – all key to our economy.

So what can be done to alleviate the problem?

The Chambers are asking the Government to work with firms on solutions including childcare support and an urgent reform of the Shortage Occupations List. They must review the systems to support employment – from support offered by charities to those furthest from the labour market (which will cease with the demise of European funding), to the failures of the apprenticeship systems.

There are increasing concerns about businesses being able to support T-levels and the abolition of many BTECs which will not help develop a skilled and effective workforce for the future.

We know that more experienced people need to be kept in the workforce to help pass on their knowledge to new entrants.  Factors which are putting more strains on recruitment include many people retiring early and people looking for more agile working (so they can live anywhere and work anywhere too).

Women workers suffered a great deal through Covid and we need to do more to make it easier for parents to come back to full-time employment. Access to childcare must be simple and affordable; we would like to see the introduction of a flexible family childcare budget that can be used to meet individual family’s’ needs.

Finally, Government must hear our calls to reform the Shortage Occupation List to help businesses fill urgent job vacancies when they cannot recruit locally.  It should reflect, and offer solution to, the skills and labour challenges facing our businesses.

But don’t be discouraged! Apprentices (and they can be any age and can be already in your workforce) are a great solution to productivity and development in businesses. You can find out more about what apprentices can do for your business at the following links:

Hire an apprentice (apprenticeships.gov.uk)

Apprenticeships – Stoke-on-Trent College :Stoke-on-Trent College (stokecoll.ac.uk)

Apprenticeships – Keele University

Apprenticeships – Staffordshire University (staffs.ac.uk)

Find out about Apprenticeships | Buxton & Leek College (blc.ac.uk)

NSCG | Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships – South Staffordshire College (southstaffs.ac.uk)

Apprenticeships – University of Wolverhampton (wlv.ac.uk)

You can also catch up on a round-up of all our local apprenticeships stories from our Daily Focus newsletter, highlighting how businesses of all sizes are benefitting from apprentices: Apprenticeship Week – Daily Focus (daily-focus.co.uk)

If you want to talk to us about any business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce has been awarded the Social Enterprise Mark, which proves it is in business primarily to benefit society, the local community and the environment.

The Social Enterprise Mark is an externally assessed social enterprise accreditation, which enables organisations to prove their commitment to creating positive social change. Only organisations which can prove they use income and profits to maximise their positive social/ environmental impact are awarded a licence to display the Social Enterprise Mark.

Applicants must meet robust sector-agreed qualification criteria in order to be awarded the Social Enterprise Mark and are fully re-assessed every 3 years to ensure they continue to meet the criteria.

Government data estimates that nearly 9% of the UK small business population are social enterprises, contributing over around £24 billion to the economy and employing over 1 million people.

Staffordshire Chambers CEO Sara Williams OBE said: “We are really proud to have been awarded the Social Enterprise Mark. Staffordshire Chambers is absolutely committed to supporting sustainable businesses and consequently helping local communities to thrive and prosper”.

Lucy Findlay, Managing Director, Social Enterprise Mark CIC, advised:
“We are delighted to award the prestigious Social Enterprise Mark to Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce. As the only way to independently assess and accredit genuine social enterprises, the Social Enterprise Mark guarantees businesses use profits for social purpose, not for the pockets of shareholders.”

The dark days of January are over and now is the perfect time to look forward. And what better way than launching the 2023 Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards – a celebration of our amazing business community.

This year there are 15 categories plus the prestigious ‘Business of the Year’ award, sponsored by HSBC and chosen from the category winners. Categories range from Young Employee/Apprentice of the Year to large business, and we also have a brand-new special award for the ‘Staffordshire Ambassador of the Year, sponsored by We are Staffordshire.

Last year we received around 300 award entries which our hard-working judges managed to narrow down to 45 finalists, with three nominees for each of the 15 categories. Fauld-based Cosy Direct won ‘Business of the Year Award’ as well as being awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise earlier that year.

Every entry demonstrated positivity and a sense of looking forward and building towards a future beyond the obvious negative factors which are making life difficult for us all at a business and personal level. I am confident that we will have as many if not more entries this year again highlighting the resilience and achievements of Staffordshire businesses.

You never know what winning an award can do for your business and previous Staffordshire Business Awards winners have gone on to further success, for example, at the British Chambers Awards or by being awarded a Queen’s (now King’s) Award for Enterprise.

The special gala evening award ceremony will be held on 13th July at Doubletree by Hilton on Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent. It is always a fabulous showcase for sponsors and finalists, and we will shortly be announcing our special guest comperes for the evening.

The deadline for applications is 24thMarch and finalists shortlisted for an award will be exclusively unveiled in our Daily Focus newsletter later in the Spring. It may sound a way off but its only around 50 days away so I would urge you to start thinking about your entries as soon as possible.

With that in mind, and to help your entry stand out, we are running two special free sessions at Commerce House on 12^th and 15^th February entitled ‘How to write an award-winning entry’. Both sessions are led by media consultant, stand-up comedian, presenter and former MD of budget airline bmibaby, Dave Bryon. Dave has been involved with organising and compering business awards since 2010 and if there is anyone who knows what it takes to win and what effect that can have on your business, its Dave.

The Staffordshire Ambassador of the Year will be chosen by fellow businesspeople and five passionate Staffordshire Ambassadors have already been shortlisted from the 170+ strong Ambassador Network in recognition of their ongoing passion, commitment and dedication to promoting Staffordshire both inside the county and beyond our borders, thus helping We Are Staffordshire to raise the profile of the county.

To vote for the Staffordshire Ambassador of the Year, click here: Staffordshire Chamber Business Awards 2023 (dotdigital-pages.com)

For everything about the awards including how to enter, categories and sponsors and the free ‘How to write an award-winning entry’ presentation events, visit our dedicated page here: Awards 2023 – Staffordshire Chambers

If you want to talk to us about any business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

Staffordshire Chambers, NatWest, Keele University and non-profit The Globe Group CIC have joined forces in an innovative project designed to put the environment at the forefront of regional innovation.

The partnership means that local businesses banking with NatWest can now benefit from access to Keele University’s Smart Energy Network Demonstrator (SEND), a programme that supports Staffordshire-based SMEs looking to reduce their energy consumption and lower their carbon emissions.

A launch event, organised by the Chamber on February 9, includes a tour of the Low Carbon Energy Generation Park and SEND control centre at Keele University, followed by a climate and energy crisis roundtable discussion where businesses will have the opportunity to ask questions and seek support.

The four organisations came together at the Staffordshire Climate Expo, organised by The Globe Group, and are now inviting local businesses to the February launch event at Keele University.

With the ongoing energy crisis, many businesses are concerned about their rising energy costs and the roundtable is an opportunity for SMEs to discuss their business needs and find out more about the fully funded SEND research projects on offer, which aim to find affordable and practical solutions for SMEs.

NatWest’s Springboard to Sustainable Recovery 2022 report highlights the key role that SMEs can play in decarbonisation and the UK reaching its net zero goals, while also cutting their own energy costs in the process.

The report reveals that if energy prices remain elevated, installing on-roof solar panels could pay back 25% faster today than in 2021, while installing a heat pump now would pay back in half the time that it would have taken just a year ago. It also highlights that meeting net zero targets is predicted to bring a £175billion revenue boost to the UK economy between now and 2030, with SMEs in a prime position to capitalise on this potential.

Dipesh Mistry, chair of NatWest regional board in the Midlands and East, said: “On paper we’re all very different organisations, however we’re all united by a desire to address climate change and have a positive impact on the environment, while supporting the local business environment thrive.

“As a bank, we know that as well as challenges, the journey to net zero holds real opportunities for SMEs who are known for innovation, creativity and tenacity. By partnering together with other like-minded organisation, we hope to offer local businesses a really exciting opportunity to gain valuable independent insight into unlocking the growth opportunities that the move to net zero brings.”

Julian Read, SEND Programme Manager at Keele University, said: “Partnering with the NatWest, Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and the Globe Group presents an amazing opportunity to reach out to organisations as they start to understand their transition into sustainability, smart energy and understanding net zero, providing the knowledge they need to make vital organisational decisions in a challenging economic environment.

“Since we started our sustainability journey, Keele has become sector-leading in environmental education, as well as conducting world-leading research into environmental sustainability. We’re keen to share our experiences with other organisations to help advance their sustainability journey.”

Tom Nadin, Head of Projects and Business Services at Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Staffordshire Chambers is delighted to be working with Keele University, NatWest and the Globe Group to support Staffordshire SMEs on their journey to net zero. A collaborative approach to climate change is crucial in helping local businesses work toward a greener future.

“We have launched a series of events that will give local firms the opportunity to hear from each partner about the sustainable opportunities for businesses and the associated finance options.

“Businesses are welcome to join us for the first session with Keele University and enjoy a tour of the Low Carbon Energy Generation Park and Smart Energy Network Demonstrator control centre, followed by a round table discussion where you will have the opportunity to ask any questions and seek support for your business.”

Pam Sheemar, Director of Commercial Banking in Stoke and Staffordshire, NatWest, brought the four organisations together after hearing about the challenges business customers are facing. Pam said: “I’d encourage any local businesses that would like some support with their sustainability journey, or those with an interest in developing new sustainable products and services, to come along and find out more about the help and guidance on offer from our innovative partnership with Keele University, Globe Group and Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce.”

Sign up for the roundtable event and tour on Thursday 9 February, here.

A prime function of the Chamber is to provide a platform for likeminded businesspeople to meet, connect, support and learn from each other. Often, after to getting to know one another and building trust, people who first met at an event go on to build lasting business relationships, collaborate and work together.

Last year the Chamber hosted over 300 events attended by around 4000 delegates from 950 individual business. We are confident that no other business organisation in our area has this reach and breadth of subject matter.

Events ranged from speed networking up to our headline Staffordshire Business Awards gala evening and our Let’s do Business expo with informative seminars, local social events, sector focussed events and much more in the mix.

We will be hosting a similar number of events this year and we endeavour to attract even more delegates from more businesses with something in the programme for everyone involved in business. Several events were online, and we aim to continue providing a proportion of such events as they have the benefit of cutting both travel time and carbon emissions.

We take feedback from our events seriously and we always ask attendees what events they would like us to introduce to the programme or what they would like to see more of so that we can tailor the programme to demand.

An event for your diary in this quarter is Confidence Live taking place on 30^th March at King’s Hall, Stoke. We have partnered with Roar Training for the one-of-a-kind event designed to help people develop the skills and mindset needed to build self-confidence, overcome obstacles and achieve goals.

Award-winning writer, Times newspaper columnist and broadcaster Caitlin Moran – who has nearly a million Twitter followers – will headline a high-profile line-up that will offer expertise and valuable insights at an innovative event aimed at boosting self-confidence.

In her hit book How to Be A Woman she talks about her unconfident younger self and the everyday niggles that could eat away at self-esteem – I’m sure we’ve all been there at some point. And the feeling can often manifest at the start of a new job or when setting up a new business.

There will be interactive workshops and other speakers will include business and industry leaders as well as stand-up comics as well as the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, gain insights from industry leaders, and take part in practical exercises that can apply to personal and professional life.

For more details about the event, to view the full line up of speakers and to book a ticket visit: Confidence Live – Staffordshire Chambers

To view our events programme and create some exciting dates in your diary visit: Events Archives – Staffordshire Chambers

If you want to talk to us about any business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk