Warwickshire Skills Conference 2017

The third Warwickshire Skills Conference for business and education leaders will take place on 13th March 2017 at 8-10 am at Chesford Grange Hotel near Leamington Spa. The focus will be on identifying the financial benefits of business and education collaboration and highlighting the types of activity that have most impact. For example, a recent ACAS report stated it costs around £5,000 every time a business recruits a new member of staff using traditional external recruitment methods or an agency. However, direct recruitment from a school or college would cost a fraction of that amount.

One of the businesses already benefiting from this approach is Alumet Systems UK based in Southam. The firm is working with Southam College which received a grant from Warwickshire County Council to develop the employability skills of students and support local businesses.

Janice Amey, HR Manager, says, “As a specialist company in construction it’s getting even harder to attract people with the right skills, particularly as a small business in a rural area. By working with a local education provider, students are recognising the opportunities available on their doorstep and we have an opportunity to grow our own highly skilled workforce.”

A case study illustrating the college's collaboration with local businesses and the impact achieved is available here: http://apps.warwickshire.gov.uk/api/documents/WCCC-688-246

For more information about the conference or to find out how your business could work with a local education provider, please e-mail skillsforemployment@warwickshire.gov.uk or call 01926-418027