future of work
future of work
INCREASING ACCESS TO SKILLS AND PEOPLE
Creating a fit, flexible and skilled workforce
A happy, healthy and productive workforce is the holy grail for any business.
But there is a people problem that must be solved if the UK is to forge the firm foundations it needs to grow the economy.
Productivity in the UK began to slow dramatically after the financial crisis in 2008 and has never recovered.
This issue has been compounded by a steadily worsening skills crisis, which has seen firms struggling to attract and retain the staff they need.
Added to this, there has also been a big upswing since the pandemic in the number of employees who are struggling to remain in work due to ill health, or who have left the workforce altogether.
Solutions include placing a greater focus on meeting local skills needs through Local Skills Improvement Plans, helping businesses to support good health in the workplace, and ensuring young people have a successful transition to the world of work.
This hub contains policies, advice and resources developed by the BCC to support businesses and their workforce.
future of work
Growth through people: Making health work
The UK is facing a workplace health crisis that is undermining productivity, constraining growth, and compounding labour market shortages. More than nine million people are economically inactive, one-third due to long-term illness, and workplace absences are at a ten-year high. The poor health of the workforce has become a critical barrier to achieving the government’s growth ambitions.
This report sets out a business-led agenda to improve workplace health, reduce economic inactivity, and support employers to retain and recruit people with health conditions.
View the report
future of work
Growth through people: taking on the neet challenge: creating Job opportunities for gen z
Young people are the workforce of the future; harnessing their skills and potential is crucial to creating thriving businesses and growing the economy. Firms need more skilled, engaged and motivated staff in every part of the UK.
That’s why employers are becoming increasingly concerned about the growing number of young people who are not in employment, education or training: known as NEETs. This is a terrible waste of potential and opportunity – and a crisis we urgently need to address.
The government has made a good start with plans for a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy, the Youth Guarantee and reform of Job Centres. But there is much more to do, and business also has a crucial role to play. Our report provides recommendations for firms and policy makers.
View the report
our solutions
workplace equity commission
Creating more equitable workplaces will have huge benefits for both society and business.
The BCC wants to help SMEs adapt the way they operate to make it easier for people from diverse talent pools to access jobs and progress in their careers.
That’s why we convened a Workplace Equity Commission. We brought together an amazing panel, comprising Chamber CEOs, businesses, and experts from across civic society.
The Commission defines ‘workplace equity’ as creating a level playing field for individuals, recognising that we do not all start from the same place and that adjustments may be required to provide fair access to opportunity.
Workplace equity Commission
Boosting Opportunity and Realising Potential
Access to a skilled, engaged and productive workforce remains a top priority for business.
During the past year, the Workplace Equity Commission has sought to understand the challenges and opportunities for SME employers in creating equitable workplaces.
To improve individual’s prospects, boost business success and drive economic growth, we have set out in our report a five-point plan on how the government and employers can take action.
future of work
Boosting skills: journey through education and work
To grow our economy we need more skilled, engaged and motivated people to contribute to the workforce in every part of the UK. In recent years, however, we have had record levels of job vacancies. Employers have experienced a shortage of job candidates and a mismatch of skills on offer. It’s had a damaging impact on firms’ ability to fulfil order books, take on new work and operate profitably.
This report considers the lifecycle of an individual through the education and work and the role of government and employers in enabling everyone to be skilled, productive, healthy and achieving their full potential.
View the report
PEOPLE and WORK
policy impacts 2023- 2024
BCC has repeatedly called for greater flexibility in the apprenticeship system to help firms train and upskill their workforce, and to help people into sustainable jobs. In the Spring Budget 2024, the government agreed to remove the co-funding requirement for SMEs taking on young apprentices and to double the amount of unspent levy that firms can transfer to their supply chain.
With two thirds of firms experiencing people and skills shortages, BCC has called for more support to help parents and the economically inactive back into work. The government has announced an increase in childcare support and is taking steps to help SMEs access occupational health services.
Skills shortages in local planning authorities means they often can’t provide the speed and consistency of service that businesses and investors need. The BCC is raising £3m from the private sector to train more qualified planners to work in councils. The government has agreed to match-fund our ambition to ensure that councils have the funds to employ graduates qualifying via BCC’s Planning Skills and Jobs Programme.
LOCAL SKILLS IMPROVEMENT PLANS
Bridging the skills gap – A new dynamic for business, education and skills. Linking local action with national strategy.
Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) have spearheaded one of the biggest shake ups around skills and business needs in recent times.
Diverse businesses and employers across England, many of whom had never engaged in conversation with training providers before, have spoken loudly and clearly.
In thirty-two out of the thirty-eight LSIP areas, as the designated Employer Representative Bodies, Chambers of Commerce have led the way.
View The Report
LOCAL SKILLS IMPROVEMENT PLANS
Across England, 32 Accredited Chambers of Commerce are convening businesses, training providers, funders and a wide range of local stakeholders to plan for the skills needed to boost local economies and improve opportunities for individuals.
Contact your local Chamber to find out more and see the full list of designated employer representative bodies.
View The Report
T Levels are a qualification for students aged 16 to 19 who’ve finished their GCSEs. They are designed by employers for employers and include a 45-day industry placement that gives you early access to the brightest talent entering your market.
Each T Level is equivalent in size to 3 A levels and helps young people develop the knowledge, attitude and practical skills to thrive in the workplace.
Every T Level student completes an industry placement that lasts a minimum of 315 hours (approximately 45 days). Industry placements give employers a unique opportunity to help develop new talent, and get young people work-ready.
A step-by-step guide has recently been published for employers which helps to clarify the steps involved in delivering successful apprenticeships in their businesses.
The straightforward guide helps employers decide if apprenticeships are right for them by addressing practicalities like, funding, choosing an apprenticeship provider and organising end-point assessment.
The guide clearly sets out employer’s responsibilities, how they can support their apprentice and plan for their progression once the apprenticeship has been achieved. The step-by-step guide draws everything together into one convenient place.
Businesses have a key role in helping young people understand the local career opportunities available and in offering the work experience that can bridge the gap between the worlds of education and the workplace. Contact your local Chamber who can help you connect to schools, colleges and universities in your area.
The Education Landscape – A Guide For Employers
This Guide is an overview of the education system as a whole and explains how employers can work with schools, colleges and universities, and the wider skills system, to benefit their business.
Apprenticeships: levy transfers – good practice guide
This employer guide is the joint work of the Department for Education, The Education and Skills Funding Agency and the BCC. If you are a business with Apprenticeship Levy funds to share, or an SME with apprenticeship ambitions, we hope it will help you to connect and succeed.
people and work
Bridging The Skills Gap
A new dynamic for business, education and skills Linking local action with national strategy
Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) have spearheaded one of the biggest shake ups around skills and business needs in recent times.
Diverse businesses and employers across England, many of whom had never engaged in conversation with training providers before, have spoken loudly and clearly.
In thirty-two out of the thirty-eight LSIP areas, as the designated Employer Representative Bodies, Chambers of Commerce have led the way.
View The Report
PEOPLE CAMPAIGN
workplace training and development commission
The Report of the Independent Workplace Training and Development Commission outlines the changes needed in the skills system to ensure employers can access a skilled workforce and the adults can continuously train and retrain for sustainable jobs.
The report includes recommendations for government, training providers, employers and individuals.
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