The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 28: Dec/Jan 2016/17 | Page 15

Higher Futures event identifies key skills to be nurtured by employers and employees

APPOINTED
From left to right : Captain Les Lester ( MOD ), Jo Mills ( Higher Futures ), Lauren Harker ( Royds Withy King ), Giles Woodhouse ( Help for Heroes ), Samantha Romanek ( Patheon ), Mandy Timbrell ( Higher Futures ), Kate Cooper ( ILM )
Higher Futures , the higher level skills service that works with businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire recently ran a leadership and management ‘ Insight Session ’ event in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Professional Development ( CIPD ), at New College , Swindon .
Speakers included Giles Woodhouse , centre manager at Help the Heroes Recovery Centre , Tidworth ; Kate Cooper , head of research at ILM , Captain Les Lester , British Army , Bulford and Sam Romanek , senior HR business partner at Patheon UK Limited .
Many Timbrell , Higher Futures manager said :“ This was a great opportunity to hear from local business about the challenges they are facing in tackling the higher level skills
gaps and explore some of the solutions open to them .” A pre-event survey found :
• Middle management would benefit the most from development
• 58 % felt their staff would benefit from training in how to develop a coaching leadership style , more than any other skill . The panel discussion and Q & A session highlighted challenges , including :
• The need for leaders to develop and enhance soft skills , particularly in the way they communicate and build relationships with their staff .
• Developing emotional intelligence to increase employee motivation and discretionary effort .
• Listening and learning from Generation Z , particularly in the area of technology and how reverse mentoring can really benefit individuals and the business .
• The untapped wealth of experience the military community in Swindon and Wiltshire can offer us , but this may not necessarily come to light in their C . V . Sam Romanek from Patheon UK said :
“ People leave a company because they are not challenged enough , this has an impact on the business due to high turnover and recruitment costs .”
Kate Cooper of ILM referred to a recent ILM survey , she said : “ Communication skills are key , it ’ s about understanding and developing better relationships with staff .”
Les Lester , MOD added : “ Leadership and management skills and experience are introduced as soldiers move up the ranks , even before they have that responsibility – they are quality people .”
Giles Woodhouse , H4H said : “ I am being coached by the Generation Z employees within the business on my digital technology skills , it ’ s important that the Millennium Generation engage with them more .”
Higher Futures is delivered by Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council on behalf of Swindon and Wiltshire LEP . To find out more about their learning and training opportunities call 01225 756174 or email MandyTimbrell @ swlep . co . uk

JOB MARKET REVIEW AN EXPERT OPINION

We asked Trowbridge-based White Horse Employment for their take on the current state of the employment market , looking at how it ' s faired in 2016 and what it ' s looking like as we move into 2017 .
By Beverley Glover , FIRP
The job market is an ever changing picture and 2016 has proved a year of change with over 550,000 jobs * being created during the last 12 months .
The beginning of the year saw record levels of vacancies in the UK , whilst following Brexit in June , a degree of uncertainty entered the market and employers exhibited a degree of caution – looking to temporary support rather than making the commitment of permanent employment .
Heading towards the end of the year , locally confidence seems to have slowly crept back , and recruitment ’ s happening . Skills shortages are prevalent across the UK , in many industry sectors and where the market remains competitive specialist roles are difficult to fill with a reported 56 % of employers * not being able to find people to fill their vacancies .
White Horse Employment works closely with hirers to secure high calibre applicants for any roles it handles , and having operated in the recruitment market since 1988 ; is well placed to advise regarding changes to the local market sector . Our advice to employers looking to recruit is ensure that you have a clear offering , focusing not only on the salary package but the added benefits , plus opportunities for personal growth and development for successful applicants , reassuring them regarding “ job security .” Skills shortages create an environment of counter offers and you need to be in a strong position to secure the best talent . For more information on using benefits to attract and retain talent ; see our Employer Blogwww . wh-employment . co . uk / blog / category / employer /.
In terms of jobseekers , they should ensure they are clear concerning the knowledge , skills and expertise they are offering , what benefits they can bring to any new role , and are confident they have fully explored the opportunity on offer to ensure it matches their aspirations . If you need to enhance your skills taking a temporary or contract role is a great option . With the economy predicted to remain in growth ;
White Horse Employment ' s managing director - Beverley Glover , FIRP
although at a slower pace into 2017 ; we can see positive moves in the future market . * Source – Recruitment and Employment Confederation research
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2016 15