Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

Is a lack of skills costing you business?

Written by Paula Devine | 19 Aug 2015

The recent growth of jobs in the UK is a great success story. However, in order for this growth to be sustained and to translate into real tangible benefits for business and the economy, there needs to be a real investment in training and skills.

According to the 2015 CBI/Pearson Education and Skills Survey, over half of all business fear that there will not be enough people available with the skills needed in key sectors such as manufacturing and engineering. Across the UK, 40% of all businesses provide some kind of training to employees.

To help tackle this skills challenge, the University of Bedfordshire has secured European funding, matched by Luton Borough Council, to support SMEs by providing fully funded training and qualifications.

Courses include PRINCE2® Project Management, Lean Practitioner, Digital Marketing, Customer Service Excellence and many more. To be eligible, employees must work for a Luton based SME (with no more than 250 employees) in one the following key sectors:

  • Aerospace
  • Airport-related
  • Engineering
  • ICT
  • Creative Industries

For more information on courses and to apply, please visit http://www.beds.ac.uk/ies/training/higher-level-skills/sme-employees

You can also email at cpd@beds.ac.uk, or call 0800 328 5334 

Topics: Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, business, funding, Luton, SEMLEP, SMEs

Paula Devine

Written by Paula Devine

Paula is Head of Membership and Global Services at Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce.

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