Subsidies call to help SMEs to invest in skills training

Dr Elaine Monkhouse, pictured, who is also interim chief executive of the GTA University Centre for a few more months until she leaves the island this year, said that she hoped 2015 could be a year for greater investment and resources being put into improving the skills of local workers.

'The States can take a lead here but it really is the responsibility of employers, professional bodies and individuals to also step up to this challenge,' she said.

'My personal view is that tangible benefits could be realised by making funding available to subsidise training for smaller businesses, within specific sectors and for specific skill sets.

'And adopting an island-wide standard for good practice in management and leadership, such as Investors in People, would help raise standards.'

Dr Monkhouse said that a number of companies in the island had benefitted from going through the IIP process, often with the support of the GTA, and increased support for business, particularly smaller operations who might struggle to justify the expense, would be positive for the whole island.

'Clearly, in order to attract to the island skilled and experienced people who have the skill sets that the island lacks, there are budgetary issues and matters of population policy to consider, but I do hope such matters will be given due consideration to help raise standards and stimulate economic growth.'