Closing the Skills Gap

significant employer in the region but the growing skills shortage has made it more difficult to find and retain skilled people in certain areas.

Director of Corporate Affairs, John Mowbray, believes that any steps to close the skills gap must benefit the region as a whole, “We are committed to playing an active role in the regional economy. Our solution to the skills gap had to be about finding and keeping local talent.”

Solution
Northumbrian Water turned to the North East Chamber of Commerce for help in delivering training programmes designed to address the skills issues.

“The idea is to provide opportunity for local people and create an environment in which they are happy and motivated. Training and development are excellent ways to find and keep good people, but we needed the Chamber to advise us and provide the credibility of an independent voice.”

In order to expand on the in-house training options already available for employees
Northumbrian Water teamed up with the North East Chamber of Commerce, which helped them benefit from the Learning and Skills Council Train to Gain programme. In turn, this has led to employees being recognised for their excellence at work and achieving qualifications.

John believes that the Chamber played a vital role in getting the scheme off the ground,
“No matter the size of the business, you always need a sounding board. We were able to turn to the Chamber for advice on local skills issues, sources of training, and to deliver training in some areas. It made a huge difference to the quality of the scheme, and to people’s willingness to get involved.”

Outcome
Closing the skills gap in the region is a long term programme, but John is confident that
Northumbrian Water has taken significant steps in the right direction to fulfil its skills pledge to its staff.

“The 2007 inaugural Northumbrian Water Skills Awards recognised individual achievement, and included two specific awards; the North East Chamber of Commerce Vocational Excellence Award and the Northumbrian Water Exceptional Achievement Award. Our internal scheme is well under way and, so far, around 130 people have received training. It is an incredibly positive step for everyone involved.”