Make investing in skills a top priority

At MACH 2012 last week, manufacturing firms were urged to make investing in skills a top priority to help ‘kick-start’ economic growth. Susan Evans, business-development director at the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies (Semta), delivered a presentation focusing on its Apprenticeship Service, which makes it easier for employers to gain the benefits of apprenticeships.

Ms Evans said: “We have strong evidence that businesses which invest in training their existing staff and recruiting new skills are more competitive and better placed to take advantage of business growth opportunities. In a climate of continued economic austerity, it is vital that businesses assess their skills needs and make the investment to address these needs. “Our services are designed to help companies of all sizes, and we offer a menu of support — from a total Skills Management Service, where companies can out-source the management of their skills needs to us, to straightforward organisational and training needs analysis and training plan implementation.”