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New skills gap analysis informs the supply of training
22 June 2007
Addressing
gaps in skills provision to meet the local priorities is a key concern
for colleges, other training providers and employers. But where are
the gaps, exactly? Research into skills gaps is possible using
the National Employer Skills Survey (NESS), re-analysed at a local
level.
Three districts in Surrey – Elmbridge, Runnymede and Spelthorne – are the latest areas that ORC International’s statisticians and public sector researchers have investigated. In summer 2006, ORC International carried out similar research for the Banstead, Tandridge and Reigate areas of Surrey.
The 2007 research was commissioned by Business Link Surrey on behalf of LSC Surrey and Surrey Skills Network. The research was designed to provide a timely new analysis, helping Surrey to meet the government’s far-reaching reform agenda, in response to the Leitch Review of future skills needs. Each area of the UK will soon be expected to respond to the Leitch agenda to strengthen the UK’s skills base and create a more employer-led system.
Surrey is part of the South East, the English region with the second largest number of skills shortage vacancies. The findings from employers in Surrey who took part in the 2005 NESS survey suggest that skills gaps are mainly due to a lack of experienced or recently recruited staff.
Eighty four percent of employers based in Runnymede and Spelthorne had experienced skills shortages. Technical, practical and job specific skills were reported to be the most difficult to recruit. These are some of the main findings from interviews undertaken with nearly 2000 employers in Surrey, which have recently been re-analysed by ORC International, to help inform action planning to address skills gaps in Surrey.
One of the key findings of the research was that only 37% of employers had a training plan and even fewer had a training budget (29%), perhaps pointing to an opportunity for local education and training providers to strengthen employer involvement by offering support to employers putting together training plans.
Surrey LSC together with Business Links Surrey have already shared the results with the Surrey Skills Network, a partnership of local providers and other stakeholders. The research is being seen as a good example of re-analysis of existing data from employers to inform the future supply of training.
For further information, please contact Marketing on 020 7675 1151 or e-mail website@orc.co.uk
