Oxfordshire businesses are focusing on closing skills gaps with better
staff training.
One in five employers in the county said their staff currently lack some of
the key skills necessary to enable their company to thrive. This figure is
five per cent higher than last year, showing that skills gaps are
increasing. The statistics were released as part of the Oxfordshire
Employer Skills Survey, which found that the largest gaps existed within
customer services and sales.
In response to the growing concerns about the lack of skills in the county,
business leaders are encouraging local firms to invest in providing
training for employees.
Oxfordshire Economic Partnership Chairman, Frank Nigriello, stated, "The
businesses in our county have a vital role in the nation's adequate
economy, but without skilled people they will find it increasingly
difficult to compete."
He went on to add that the problem has its routes in failures to provide
children with basic skills such as literacy and numeracy. "That needs to be
addressed urgently," he added.
One local business that is doing something to boost skills is Chris Lewis
Fire and Security, based in the Cowley area of Oxford. The firm’s Managing
Director, Chris Lewis, who offers an apprenticeship scheme to allow staff
to gain qualifications, said that investing in training results in major
benefits for businesses. "Where we have identified skills gaps, we have
addressed this through training. It has often required significant
investment but actually has had massive pay-back often in a relatively
short timeframe," he explained.
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