Archive for January, 2010

Employers are not interested in developing skills through training, according to new research.

Hopes that Britain's economic prospects will pick up in 2010 are not shared by the majority of UK employees, according to research released today. The survey, conducted by Home Learning College – the UK's biggest provider of award-winning vocational distance learning – shows that 74% of British adults do not see their employment prospects improving in the coming year*. In fact, 10% think things will get worse before they get better.

When asked about their current job, a quarter of respondents said they feel bored, unfulfilled and unappreciated. The negative impact of the recession on staff development is also highlighted by the fact that 37% say their employer takes no interest in enhancing their skills through internal or external training.

Lack of appropriate qualifications is seen as the key factor stopping around a third of people from getting their dream job. Lack of experience and lack of confidence were also cited as playing a role in holding back career progression.

Despite a lack of training support from employers, 40% of British adults are very or quite likely to study for a new qualification in 2010 under their own initiative. Over a third (37%) name career change as the driving force behind this desire to learn. A further third aim to enhance their knowledge and skills in order to secure a pay rise or promotion, while 30% plan to study purely for pleasure.

Dave Snow, Academic Director at Home Learning College, believes that employers should do their best to harness this interest in self improvement among their work force. He comments:

A 2009 report from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) revealed that 46% of managers have lost key members of staff by offering inadequate levels of training. When post-recessionary recovery depends on retaining talented employees, investment in vocational training becomes a necessity rather than a luxury.

If we are to gain a firm hold on the road to financial recovery in 2010 then business leaders need to start demonstrating a commitment to staff training and development. Only then will employees feel more positive about their career prospects and be more engaged at work.

Targeted, professionally accredited training doesn't have to cost the earth, either financially or in administrative terms. In fact, distance learning represents an effective route for ensuring valued team members remain motivated and productive, while minimising their down time from existing work commitments.

* Survey conducted among 3,000 British adults in Dec 2009

Source:  Home Learning College

A new report has been published which suggests that there could be a significant increase in the number of people employed in the railway, automotive and aerospace industries in Derby by 2019.

The report, entitled 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles', forecasts that in a best case scenario, an additional 15,700 new jobs could be created across the three sectors.

The report, commissioned by Derby City Council, East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, has emphasised the scale and importance of the aerospace, automotive and railway industries to Derby and the wider region.

The aim of the report was to identify in detail the specific strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats in each sector and to assess the interrelationships between them.

The report suggests that between them, these three sectors directly employ over 32,000 people through major employers such as Rolls-Royce, Bombardier, Toyota and others. However, when employment through the supply chain serving these industries is included, the total number of people employed is 46,000. It is also estimated that these sectors and their supply chains account for over £10.3 billion of economic output and over 36% of all employment in Derby. 

Predicting the fortunes of these sectors, the research forecasts that there could be a growth in employment and economic output by 2019, particularly in the railway sector where a growth of up to 66% is predicted in a best case scenario. Growth of 34.4% is predicted in the aerospace sector and 22% in the automotive sector.

Crucially, the report advises that complacency about the presence of these sectors or their future growth could be dangerous.  In a worst-case scenario over a number of years, employment and productivity in these sectors could decline in adverse market conditions.  The report acknowledges that the most volatile of the three is the rail sector which currently supports 8,500 jobs in Derby and contributes £2.6bn of economic output. 

It also highlights that businesses in these sectors tend to suffer, unfairly, from a poor image and are regarded as 'oily rag' trades. This is having a noticeable impact on the number of skilled young people who are seeking careers in these sectors. The report concludes that in the future these sectors will demand even higher level skills and ongoing investment in innovation.

As part of the research, the report has also identified the relative strengths and weaknesses of each sector, along with potential opportunities and threats. This will help businesses in each sector to become more aware of the issues that they need to address, as well as identifying new opportunities to develop and grow their markets.

The report's findings support the Government's thinking in New industry New Jobs, indicating that it is possible to create a large number of skilled jobs and to achieve growth in the manufacturing industry.

Speaking about the Planes, Trains and Automobiles research, Dr Bryan Jackson, Chairman ofemda, said:

At emda, we have long recognised the importance of the transport equipment industry to the regional economy and particularly in Derby, with its world-class companies such as Bombardier, Rolls-Royce and Toyota.

We have been working hard to help companies from the transport industry to set-up new operations in the region. It is also why we have invested in establishing a unique Transport iNet (innovation network), to ensure that businesses receive specialised support to help them develop and exploit new innovative ideas and to give them a competitive edge.

I am confident that, with the unique strengths we have in these sectors, our businesses will continue to grow, developing ever more innovative products and creating new jobs and wealth for Derby and the East Midlands.

Councillor Hilary Jones, Leader of Derby City Council said:

We place tremendous value on the huge contribution that the rail, aerospace and automotive sectors bring to the Derby economy through investment and jobs for local people. We want to build on our existing good relationships with many of the major businesses in Derby, help strengthen local supply chains and encourage innovation and upskilling.  This research will help focus our attention upon specific things we could do, in partnership with emda, the Chamber and others, to retain the wealth that these sectors bring to Derby.

Richard Wilkins, President of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce said:

Innovations in transportation will play a vital role in creating a sustainable future for the world's economy and climate. 

In Derbyshire, we have a number of major businesses with the potential to develop and manufacture innovative new solutions which can reduce the cost, journey times and environmental impact of these different modes of transport.

We will, however, need to invest in skills and provide support to these key businesses and their supply chains to enable Derbyshire to lead the way in these sectors.

Source:  East Midlands Development Agency (emda)