Colleges hold key to solving skills shortages

Let’s talk skills shortages. It’s a hot topic for employers - and one we’re tackling at Burnley College.

We know there are skills gaps in industry.  We know they hurt.

Let’s look at digital skills, They’re vital to the economy, yet employers tell me they believe young people are leaving full-time education without sufficient advanced digital skills - and this is having an impact.

These are skills colleges are perfectly placed to provide. Our exciting projects at Burnley College ensure innovation, technologies and new skills are available to young learners, adults and employers who want to upskill their workforce.

And here’s why I believe the digital skills shortage is growing. It’s a lack of clearly-defined job roles; a lack of understanding and guidance about career paths; a lack of role models and difficulty in making technical professions appealing to young people.

It’s important learners are guided onto pathways suited to their passions if they

are to fulfil their potential - and no one route suits everyone - some may thrive as an apprentice, others in a traditional academic route. However, inspiring young people to learn will fill our skills gaps, now and in future.

Plus, I think there’s a challenge with parents and teachers not understanding careers. However, this provides employers with a great opportunity to visit schools to explain more and join the dots between what young people study and what careers that could lead to.

Employers want less talk and more action.

We know from employers there is no appetite for another raft of short-term initiatives. We also know employers recognise the role industry plays in the investment of skills and shaping a coherent national strategy, but they need support from learning providers to fill the skills gaps today and build talent pools with skills relevant to the digital age of tomorrow.

Where do we go from here? Employers – why not talk to our School Liaison Team ([email protected]) about the messages you need to get across to pupils taking their GCSEs?

How about employers opening their door so parents and pupils – or school groups – can take a look around and see first hand the amazing roles on offer?