Page 8 - Regional Employment & Skills Plan

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Employability
Employer feedback indicates that basic skills is a concern. In many instances a lack of these skills is more prevalent in new entrants and young school leavers.
4. Basic skills including literacy, numeracy, communication and digital skills remain a concern for many employers. The RLSP to seek to increase levels of employer satisfaction in regards to basic skills.
Employer feedback indicates that the employability of individuals at all levels is a concern.
5. The RLSP to work with partners across the education and skills spectrum to enhance the employability of individuals, including aligning activity to the all Wales employability programme.
Employer feedback has indicated that digital skills are a priority, with many facing difficulty in recruiting individuals with the desired skills in this area (this is especially prevalent in the Financial & Professional Services sector). There is a need therefore to enhance the prevalence of digital skills amongst both learners and the workforce, with particular focus on higher level IT and software skills to drive the development of the digital economy.
6. There is a need to enhance the digital skills across both learners and the workforce, with particular focus on higher level IT and software skills to drive the development of the digital economy.
Learning & Career Choices
Evidence gathered from employers & learners indicates that Apprenticeships are poorly understood as learning opportunities.
7. Increase the understanding of opportunities offered by apprenticeships across the region and develop targeted promotion with employers, learners at all levels, as well as parents and guardians to ensure that opportunities are understood.
The quality and quantity of the current offer of careers advice provided to learners was highlighted as an issue by employers. This is supported by the learner evidence. Employers feel that this is a contributory factor to the poor perception currently held by society of some sectors.
8. Improve the availability of careers advice to younger students to help inform subject choices and to raise awareness of potential learning and careers opportunities.
Many sectors suffer from poor perceptions of employment types, job roles and pay. Employers feel that this is to the detriment of attracting and retaining new talent to the sectors.
9. Raise perceptions of sectors where there are identified recruitment issues caused by poor perceptions of employment in the industry.
Regional Employment & Skills Plan South West & Mid Wales Executive Summary