Happy New Year!  January is very much a time of reflection, when we take stock and think about making changes to our lives.  Dry January, Veganuary, lose weight, get fit – We’ve all been there!!  Making a change is also something to think about in our day-to-day jobs.  It’s so important for us to consider the value of ongoing personal development and learning, to support our career pathways and to keep up to date with a changing landscape.  Now could be the time to take ownership of your career pathway and look for training opportunities which will help you to develop and become more accomplished and skilled in your day-to-day role.

I’m hoping to sign up to an Apprenticeship qualification, which will align closely to my day-to-day role.   Study will be conducted through completion of a number of learning modules.  Each module will include a two-hour teaching and learning session, followed by a series of assignments to assess knowledge, skills, and behaviours in relation to the module standards.   A number of colleagues from across the UK Chamber network have expressed an interest in signing up, which gives us the chance to study together, as well as developing and sharing ideas. 

That got me thinking about the wider world of training and development and links to the work we are doing here at Staffordshire Chambers’.  Back in 2022, we were appointed as the designated employer representative body for the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).    In the past two years, Chamber colleagues have connected a wide range of employers with education and training providers, as well as other local stakeholders, to set out the key priorities and changes needed in the local area to help ensure post-16 technical education and training is more closely aligned to employer and local labour market needs.

LSIP have spearheaded one of the biggest shake ups around skills and business needs in recent times.  A diverse mix of businesses and employers, many of whom had never engaged in conversation with training providers before, have spoken loudly and clearly.  The initial publication was approved and published by the Secretary of State in August 2023, and since then a progress report has been produced to demonstrate the changes and impact of the LSIP.   A Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) has also transitioned into phase 2 and has already started to have an impact using the newly purchased key resources and equipment that deliver against the needs for the LSIP, in supporting the training gaps for employers. 

Our brand-new Skills Hub website is a great place to search for new skills and available training in our local area, with details of almost 900 training courses, brought to you by more than 40 training providers:

Home – Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Skills Hub & Employers

We’re keen to welcome more training providers to the website and any interested training providers can register interest through the link:

Join Us – Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Skills Hub & Employers

If you’re an employee looking to upskill, talk to your line manager and my Chamber colleagues are ready to talk to local employers about training and skills needs and discuss potential support (subject to eligibility), towards the cost of training and development. 

Did you know that eligible Stoke-on-Trent businesses can claim up to £1,000 for training/development of 2 participants if they have not had a claim before, with sole traders allowed to claim up to £500?   Eligible businesses who have made a prior claim may still be able to submit a further claim towards the cost of training. 

Eligible East Staffordshire businesses can claim up to £500 towards the cost of training and development.

A range of training courses is on offer to eligible Staffordshire Moorlands businesses:

📅 14th & 15th January – Online
Digital Transformation in Project Management
Learn how to leverage digital tools to streamline and improve your project management processes.

📅 21st January – In person (Leek)
Advanced Excel
Take your Excel skills to the next level with advanced techniques that will boost productivity and efficiency.

📅 30th January – In Person (Leek)
Practical Digital Marketing
Get hands-on experience with the latest digital marketing techniques to enhance your online presence and drive business growth.

If you would like to learn more about training and development opportunities and support, please e-mail :

skillshub@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

Keep a close eye on the training landscape through our dedicated Linkedin page.  Click on the link and follow us: