Educationalists were interviewed on stage in front of 100-plus delegates at the latest Aycliffe Business Park Community( ABPC) Business Community Breakfast, held at Glow.
Suzanne also highlighted a less obvious but equally pressing issue – communication skills.
“ The LSIP report found that 95 % of employers identified communication as an issue, including oracy, telephone skills and teamwork.
“ We know the pandemic has exacerbated this, and increased reliance on smartphones is a concern.”
However, she sees an opportunity for business leaders to step in and help nurture these skills.“ Employers can encourage more face-to-face interaction and increase multiteam collaboration,” she added.
“ Teesside University and regional training providers play a pivotal role in supporting businesses by developing the skills needed for the future, whether through research, innovation or engagement with businesses.
“ We generate the knowledge that contributes to the economic, social and cultural success of the students who study with us.”
Shaun Hope praised the event’ s focus on education and skills, reinforcing Bishop Auckland College Group’ s long-standing commitment to training the next generation of skilled workers.
“ Bishop Auckland College Group’ s South West Durham Training( SWDT) has a longstanding presence on the business park, training generations in key sectors, which makes our involvement crucial,” he said.
“ As a major anchor institution in Durham, deeply connected to the Aycliffe community, it was fantastic to represent Bishop Auckland College and SWDT while supporting the brilliant work of local businesses.”
Recognising the pressures businesses face when considering training investments, Shaun
emphasised that colleges like his exist to simplify access to skills development.
“ We proactively address employer challenges and work through complexities to find effective solutions.”
Shaun also reinforced the long-term value of investing in education and training, adding:“ It boosts productivity, morale and ultimately creates a more sustainable future for businesses.
“ It’ s about providing valuable opportunities for generations to come.”
Lucy Johnson works as part of the Skills for Business team at the North East Combined Authority.
“ A skilled workforce is at the heart of every business,” said Lucy.
“ Getting to know the education and skills landscape, and the different ways to get involved, can benefit business in many ways but it is important that we start early.
“ I am delighted to have been asked to join the panel of experts at the recent Aycliffe Business Park event, focusing on the important theme of education.
“ The event showcased the importance of community engagement, sharing good news stories and enthusiasm for engaging with education.”
Lucy expressed the importance of businesses engaging with young people at a young age, adding:“ Research tells us that from the age of four, children begin to make career-limiting decisions based on gender or socio-economic background which are then embedded by the age of 14.
“ We also know that many children in the North-East have a narrow range of career role models from which to learn.
“ Early exposure allows children to build aspirations, broaden horizons and make connections between learning and real-life applications.
“ By collaborating with schools, businesses can also help young people gain insights into various industries, roles and skills needed for the future workforce, creating a pipeline of young talent that is better prepared for the challenges of the future job market.”
The panel discussion at Aycliffe Business Park’ s Business Community Breakfast highlighted a common theme – training and skills development are not just business expenses, but strategic investments that drive growth, innovation and resilience.
By embracing flexible learning opportunities, addressing skills gaps and enhancing communication skills, businesses in Aycliffe and beyond can position themselves for long-term success.
As businesses continue to navigate an evolving economic landscape, the collaboration between employers, educators and training providers remains crucial.
But with ongoing support from institutions such as Teesside University, NC Group and Bishop Auckland College – as well as other training providers such as Optimum Skills and itec – Aycliffe’ s business community is well-placed to thrive in the years ahead.
Find out more about the four organisations involved in this discussion at these links:
tees. ac. uk / businessschool bacoll. ac. uk northeastambition. co. uk / business ncgroupltd. co. uk
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 25