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New sector guides simplify funding and training opportunities available to employers

The first in a series of guides for employers is published today as part of an ongoing collaboration between Eastleigh College, Solent University and employers working together to upskill people and businesses in the city of Southampton, the Solent region and the ‘Central South’ economy.

Different funding streams and changing legislation have resulted in many employers missing out on free or cost-efficient opportunities to train existing staff or influence future talent. Our employer partners have asked us to simplify the myriad of funding and training opportunities available to them and we know from feedback that there is a real pressure on the recruitment and retention of talent.

We expect our skills and succession plan guides to build on the initial employer information we published earlier in the year following a panel session and Q&A hosted by Business South that was attended by a range of employers from multiple sectors. The first in the series is ‘Business, Finance and Human Resources Employer guide to training and succession planning opportunities’. We will be launching a number of other sector guides in July, August and September including construction, engineering, digital industries, leisure industries, healthcare and early years.

Last year’s Covid-19 Bounce Back pledge, the forerunner to The Covid Recovery Commitments, sent out a strong statement of intent with regards to being ‘fully open for business’ during the pandemic in the 2020/2021 academic year. Since July 2020 the College has successfully delivered valued workplace skills and professional development to more than 900 workplaces. More than 35 employers formally supported the pledge with their own statements demonstrating shared values towards improving employability and skills in our region.

Published last week the 2021/22 Covid Recovery Commitments were developed with feedback and support from a number of stakeholders including business groups, employers, councils, schools and universities. They set out how our high-quality provision is available to support employers recruit and retain the talent they need.

Paul Cox, Chief Executive and Principal said: “As we look ahead to 2021/22, and in shaping our recovery commitments we have sought to build on the successes of our pledge whilst also ensuring we respond to feedback from stakeholders. We have welcomed inputs from employers, and have listened to concerns raised through our online open events. As such we are confident that our commitments are based on a strong evidence of need from a wide cross section of our College community”.

Any individuals or organisations who are interested in joining forces to help deliver or simply support the commitments can email experts@eastleigh.ac.uk or use #covidrecovery tagging Eastleigh College on social media. A copy of our initial employer guide and skills and succession sector guides are available from experts@eastleigh.ac.uk.

The new guides are:

Business, Finance and Human Resources Employer guide to training and succession planning opportunities.

Engineering, Gas, Plumbing and Refrigeration Employer guide to training and succession planning opportunities

Training Solutions