Skills for the future

A significant step towards this is the skills action plan, published last week by Skills Guernsey.

Skills Guernsey is a States sub-committee that I have been privileged to chair since July 2016. It has responsibility for ensuring the development of workforce skills, supporting both the States of Guernsey’s Policy & Resource Plan, and the Economic Development Strategy.

It has operated with no funding, and so the individuals who make up the group have put extra effort into balancing the lack of resources that we started out with.

The plan was developed through extensive engagement with industry and is informed by the findings of research into current skills gaps.

It sets out practical steps to be taken by government, in partnership with the local community and industry, as it seeks to develop lifelong learning, digital skills, entrepreneurship, and employability skills.

My political colleague on Skills Guernsey is Deputy Mark Dorey, a member of the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture.

Mark believes that education and learning does not just begin and end in the classroom. I agree, and the plan recognises this. We have set out an approach to developing skills that acknowledges that individuals’ needs change as they make their journey through life.

The aim, ultimately, is to put the individual at the centre of the lifelong learning process, bringing together the work of educational and training bodies, business and their representative bodies, and government.

The plan is designed to be responsive and to be refreshed to take into account that the needs of industry change.

It has been shared with industry groups throughout its development, and this has resulted in the following areas of focus:

1. Continue to review and recognise industry need for qualified staff;

2. Consider opportunities to establish lifelong learning incentives;

3. Develop best-in-class digital skills, education and training;

4. Consider opportunities to develop and enhance innovation and entrepreneurship;

5. Continued recognition of the importance of readiness for work, attitudes and employability skills;

6. Support the Guernsey Apprenticeship, and develop future apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities; and

7. Close working with the Population Management Office to develop opportunities for skills development.

There are many partners on the island that Skills Guernsey will be working with, we are delighted and grateful that our island’s business representative bodies have offered their valuable expertise and time to support the implementation of the plan.

The Guernsey International Business Association has said: ‘In view of the many years of discussions and research on skills, Giba is delighted that we now have a clear list of actions to be taken to ensure Guernsey has and retains a highly skilled workforce. We look forward to working with government and others in industry to focus on the actions which will meet the priorities in the identified workstreams.

‘In particular, Giba looks forward to contributing to the development of a financial services apprenticeship scheme and also to playing its part in encouraging our local graduates to return and join the island’s workforce.’

The Guernsey Branch of the Institute of Directors said: ‘The island’s businesses need to meet the opportunities and challenges that the global economy presents and we welcome the Skills Guernsey Action Plan. A skilled and active workforce is essential to Guernsey’s long-term economic sustainability.

‘The IoD has long championed the need for a coordinated approach to addressing the skills gaps. In particular, the IoD believes that lifelong learning and re-skilling our workforce will become more and more critical as our traditional business models are disrupted through technology and regulation, and as the pensionable age begins to transition from 65 to 70 from 2020.’

Guernsey’s Chamber of Commerce, said: ‘Guernsey Chamber welcomes the skills initiative as a crucial piece of work to ensure that the island’s business community is able to make an effective and valuable contribution to our economy. We recognise that all aspects of island life are inextricably linked to the broad success of the island. The rapid change in demand for various skill sets present a very real challenge and will require expert insight and efforts during the next few years.

And the Confederation of Guernsey Industry (CGi), said: ‘The re-launch of Skills Guernsey is welcomed by the CGi as there is evidence of a lack of skills at different levels on the island which need to be addressed.

‘There are many sectors, including hospitality, tourism, travel and transport and care, that are struggling to recruit and retain staff. These sectors are essential for our economy, and need to be supported. The CGi welcomes initiatives to develop careers routes in these sectors, and looks forward to working with Skills Guernsey to consider opportunities to develop these concepts further.’

u The full Action Plan is available from gov.gg/skillsguernsey and we would welcome approaches from potential partners and experts to work with us on delivering the plan.