Skill shortages – often a major issue for manufacturers looking to recruit – comes under the spotlight at a major event in the Black Country.
The Midlands office of national audit, tax and advisory firm Crowe Clark Whitehill, is hosting an early evening panel session on Wednesday, May 16, at Black Country House to debate and discuss skills shortages and knowledge transfer partnerships in the manufacturing sector.
Gordon Mills, Director of Business Engagement at Black Country University Technical College and Peter Hedges, Director of Research Support Services at Warwick University, will be among those on the panel.
Johnathan Dudley, Crowe Clark Whitehill’s National Head of Manufacturing Industry and Midlands Managing Partner, said: “Skills is a major issue – it is one of those problem areas which are constantly highlighted.
“Too many firms find it hard to recruit quality people which can restrict their growth.
“The Government has sought to take a lead, with a number of initiatives, particularly targeting a big increase in apprentices which is very welcome. However, there is a long way to go to bridge the gap and it will be interesting to hear from the panel experts what initiatives they think could be appropriate for the here and now.”
Mr Dudley said significant progress was being made in terms of knowledge transfer partnerships, but believed that such arrangements could be further expanded.
He went on: “Warwick University pioneered knowledge transfer partnerships and have a wealth of knowledge as to how both firms and higher education can benefit.
“Similarly our universities and colleges in the Midlands have embraced this way of working.
“It is vital that businesses take advantage of what they have to offer – education’s ivory towers have mostly been knocked down. The goodwill is there and Midlands companies need to harness it. It is a win-win situation.
“It can help put manufacturing firms at the cutting edge of technology and deliver new products to market.”
The evening has a 6pm for 6.15pm start and will last three quarters of an hour, after which there is an opportunity to network over a hot buffet.