Category: Skills and workforce

First ever Surrey Careers Hub Conference brings employers and educators closer together

Published 19 November 2024

Skills and workforce

Bridging the gap between education and employment to boost opportunities for all was the focus of the first ever Surrey Careers Hub conference.

Up to 70 representatives from employers, schools, colleges and training providers attended the event last week at Nescot College in Epsom.

The aim was to celebrate the successes achieved in the first year of the Surrey Careers Hub and explore ways to raise awareness of all the opportunities available to young people in secondary education so they can take their next best step.

By doing so, this will help young people into fulfilling employment while supporting growth in the regional economy.

Matt Furniss, Surrey County Councilโ€™s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, opened the event. He said: โ€œProviding clear pathways for our young people to gain the skills and information they need for their future careers is vital. Through Surrey Careers Hub, we have the framework in place to offer world class careers provision across the whole of Surrey. 

โ€œWe have a strong and diverse economy with internationally recognised sectors and outstanding education settings – and it is up to all of us to bring those two things closer together.

โ€œI look forward to seeing our employers and educators continuing to work together to provide opportunities for all our young people, regardless of their background. In time this will deliver benefits to them as individuals, to our businesses and the wider economy.โ€

A year of Surrey Careers Hub

Surrey Careers Hub was launched in September 2023 by Surrey County Council with funding from The Careers & Enterprise Company.

During the first 12 months, the Surrey Careers Hub team has:

  • Engaged 95 maintained schools, colleges, special schools, alternative provisions and Pupil Referral Units;
  • Recruited more than 90 volunteers from the business community to support the delivery of careers related activities for students;
  • Provided opportunities for teachers and students to learn more about careers in Surreyโ€™s growth sectors, such as gaming, cyber security, creative industries and construction and infrastructure;
  • Supported the progression of schools and colleges across all eight Gatsby Benchmarks; the government recognised framework of good careers education.

Georgina Angele, Strategic Hub Lead at Surrey Careers Hub, said: โ€œBridging the skills gap is one of the most pressing issues facing the UK economy, even in a region as large and diverse as Surrey.

โ€œThis gap not only hampers business growth but also hampers wider economic development – which is why the work weโ€™re doing is so important.

โ€œOur ambition is to ensure Surrey has an engaged, informed and skilled future workforce to meet the demands of the modern economy โ€“ but we can only do that with the support and input from employers, educators and our young people.โ€

Highlights of the first-ever Surrey Careers Hub conference

The conference saw a variety of speakers talk about a range of issues relevant to the work of the Surrey Careers Hub.

This included businesses, such as Guildford-based IT support services firm ramsac, which recently hosted two groups of teachers to learn more about their work as part of the Teachers Encounters programme. These are workplace experiences for teachers, helping to connect their subject teaching and learning to the world of work.

Delegates also heard from representatives of The Careers & Enterprise Company, a Headteacher, young people and industry stakeholders.

Julie Kapsalis, Principal of Nescot College, who is also a member of the Surrey Careers Hub Cornerstone Employers Group, said: โ€œI am so passionate about the work weโ€™re doing collaboratively around careers, for us as a business but primarily for students. This allows us to respond far better to the wider economic needs of businesses.

โ€œItโ€™s that commitment to raise the quality of careers education, to tackle disadvantage and barriers to success, which is why I am so proud to be involved with the Surrey Careers Hub.โ€

For more details visit the Surrey Careers Hub website.

Play your part

There are lots of ways Surrey businesses can support Surrey’s future workforce.

  • Want to support the work of the Surrey Careers Hub? Weโ€™re looking for professionals from all sectors and business of all sizes to work with Careers Leaders and Education Leaders as Enterprise Advisers to shape their careers education strategies. Get in touch via our contact us form for further details.
  • Sign up to the Business Surrey newsletter for updates around workforce development
A group of people stand posing for a picture while standing in front of a Surrey Careers Hub promotional banner.
A man in a blue jacket and white shirt stands on stage presenting to an audience. He stands in front of a Surrey Careers Hub banner.
A woman in a black top is at a networking event talking to a group of people. She has a Surrey Careers Hub lanyard around her neck.
Two women - one in a purple blouse, the other in a black and white dress - stand on stage presenting. In the background is a Surrey Careers Hub promotional banner.
A man in shirt and tie is sat in a auditorium with red seats. He is turned to the audience and smiling.
A cake with white and green icing is sat on a plate waiting to be served. It is decorated in Surrey Careers Hub brand colours.

FORT programme to train future AI and cyber leaders in Surrey

Published 6 November 2024

Innovation, Skills and workforce

Surrey’s reputation as a leader in cyber security and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been reinforced with the launch of the new multi-million pound FORT programme.

The ยฃ8 million Centre for Doctoral Training in Future Open Secure Networks (FORT) was launched at the University of Surrey’s 5G/6G Innovation Centre last month.

Running in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, it will support at least 50 PhD researchers to develop their skills and industry-ready innovations over the next eight years.

They will work with industry partners including Rolls Royce, AWS, HP, Virgin Media, BT and Keysight Technologies.

Academic researchers claim these highly specialised skills are crucial for ensuring private and secure communications in the future.

It will underline the university and wider region’s credentials as an innovation powerhouse which nurtures advanced skills in wireless communications, AI, and cyber security.

What is the FORT programme?

The FORT centre for doctoral training is a community of postgraduate researchers who will become industry-conscious thinkers and leaders.

It is supported by ยฃ8 million in government funding, through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The launch event highlighted the importance of training postgraduate researchers in the fast-evolving fields of wireless communications, AI, cybersecurity, and networking.

It featured demonstrations, discussions and networking sessions. It gave attendees with insights into the future of telecommunications, AI, and cybersecurity.

Industry partners also shared their vision for the collaboration. They also stressed the significance of academic-industry partnerships in addressing the real-world challenges faced by the telecommunications sector.

Professor Rahim Tafazolli, Head of the Institute for Communication Systems (ICS), said: The collaboration between academia and industry is pivotal in positioning the UK as a leader in secure and resilient communications networks.

The launch of FORT is just the beginning of a bold journey towards shaping the future of telecommunications.

“The backing of the EPSRC has been essential in establishing this partnership between Surrey, Queen’s and our 21 valued industry partners. Together we have the potential to deliver a transformational shift in the UK’s position at the heart of innovation for future global telecommunications infrastructure.”

Innovation and Surrey

Surrey is leading the way in several key sectors crucial to the UKโ€™s future economy. And Business Surrey is focused on supporting these sectors to grow and reach their potential.

We’re nurturing and bringing together companies in these key sectors as part of our clusters work.

We are also working with researchers and funding establishments to bring in investment and build infrastructure.

Plus we work with training providers to ensure the countyโ€™s future workforce has the necessary skills for these sectors to prosper for years to come.

Do you work in a cyber or artificial intelligence and looking for support to grow? Get in touch with our experts via our business support form.

The exterior of a large commercial building covered in brown cladding with a large canopy. On the outside of the building is a large University of Surrey logo.

KFC UK: a Surrey Success Story

Published 29 October 2024

Skills and workforce, Surrey Success Stories

KFC UK is the latest of our Surrey Success Stories, a collection of video case studies of businesses โ€“ large and small โ€“ that are putting our region on the map. Click on the video below to discover why Surrey is a great place for this international brand to have its UK base .

KFC UK: an iconic brand with an iconic founder

It’s an iconic global brand with a founder as famous as its food. But how many of you knew that Colonel Sanders’ fried chicken legacy is rooted in Surrey as well as Kentucky?

It’s nearly a century since the white suited Sanders first started serving his fried chicken in a roadside motel in the United States. The taste is now exported round the world, including the UK.

Kentucky Fried Chicken – known better as KFC – opened its first UK restaurant in Preston, Lancashire in the 1960s.

And the UK operation has never looked back. Currently there are more than 1,000 branches in the UK. And its parent company KFC UK has an annual turnover of close to ยฃ300 million.

This major operation is all coordinated from a UK headquarters in the heart of the Surrey town of Woking.

KFC’s secret to success

So how has a company founded in the southern US state of Kentucky come to be so popular?

Well, the food is pretty good – with the unique blend of 11 herbs and spices still very much a top level secret.

The company is also committed to being bold and innovative.

Jo Tivers, Head of Food and Quality, said: “I love working in the fast food industry. As the name suggests, it’s really, really fast. We can be really innovative, we can try new things. We have a customer base that is really interested in trying new things.”

The company is also big on investing in its people – with culture being a real focus. It claims to be “people first culture, really heart-led” – with a real focus on supporting and championing young people, especially with their first jobs.

As Hema Ladwa, People Experience Lead, explains: “We really believe that everyone has the potential, we just need to feed that potential, whether it’s feeding them chicken or whether it’s feeding them through their knowledge and through their learning and development.”

This commitment inspires loyalty and nurtures talent, for now and into the future.

KFC UK and Surrey

KFC UK has had its restaurant support centre in Woking for more than 25 years. About 350 people are based there, with location being a major plus point – for business and for pleasure.

With direct train links to London taking 30 minutes and the M25 and two major airports a short drive away, connectivity couldn’t be better.

Jenny Packwood, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, said: “Not only do we have great proximity to London, the trains are really quick in and out to London for people who live there. And because we’re international, the proximity to Heathrow and Gatwick is also really helpful.”

Woking is also a fantastic place for people to be live, continually being ranked among the best places in the UK to reside.

There’s culture, countryside, shopping, great food and drink plus access to a range of recreational facilities.

Jo Tivers, Head of Food and Quality, said: “It’s great to be able to go into the weekend, enjoy lunch out with the family, take them to the theatre, to the cinema. There’s always something incredible to do.”

Looking to relocate your business to Surrey?

Thanks to our desirable location, reputation for innovation and collaborative business ecosystem, Surrey is a top business location of choice.

As part of Business Surrey, Surrey County Council offers the Invest in Surrey service.

Our specialised team offers free and confidential services. We assist companies looking to invest and grow in Surrey.

Whether youโ€™re a start-up, SME or international company, you can benefit from specialist expertise, local knowledge and business support.

Get in touch with the team today via our business support form.

A red and white bucket with the words KFC on it is on a table. In the background is a picture of Colonel Sanders, the founder of KFC.
Image of fried chicken on a wire tray. A person in a black apron is using tongs to lift the chicken into a KFC bucket.
Two people - a man in a black jacket and a woman in a short sleeved grey top - sit at a table talking to each other. In the background is the words "Finger Lickin Good" in neon lighting, which is the slogan for KFC UK.

Business Blog: Why young people are crucial to growing our future economy

Published 23 October 2024

Skills and workforce, Thought leadership

Georgina Angele, Strategic Hub Lead for Surrey Careers Hub, has almost two decades of experience working to connect schools and colleges with employers. In our latest business blog, she explains how Surrey businesses can play their part in equipping young people with future skills โ€“ and why it will benefit them and the wider economy down the line.

In todayโ€™s rapidly evolving job market, the importance of equipping young people with relevant employment skills whilst still in school or college cannot be overstated.  

As we navigate the 21st century, the landscape of work is being reshaped by continual changes in technology, national policy and globalisation. 

To support future economic growth and help young people achieve their potential, it is imperative we prepare them with the skills they will need to thrive. 

As Strategic Hub Lead for the Surrey Careers Hub, itโ€™s my role to directly work with employers and education providers to unlock opportunities โ€“ bringing them closer together, so that we can ensure young people have a range of meaningful careers experiences while they are still in school and college.ย ย Read on to find out more, or if you’re ready to involved sign up now to become a strategic Enterprise Advisor working with a local school.

Bridging the Skills Gap 

One of the most pressing challenges facing economies across the UK is the skills gap, even in an economy as diverse and large as Surrey. 

Employers across a range of sectors often report difficulties in finding candidates coming out of education with the skills required for the positions available.   

This gap not only hampers business growth but also limits economic development. 

This is why the creation of the Surrey Careers Hub just over a year ago has been so important to our regional economy. 

We work with more than 97% of secondary schools, colleges, special schools and alternative provisions, connecting them to employers in all sectors. 

The aim is to ensure young people have an awareness of the opportunities available to them while making sure education providers know which skills their young people need to succeed once they finish their education. 

The Surrey Careers Hub ensures there is a single approach for the whole county. And we can tailor this work to the key sectors which are crucial to our future economy, such as Artificial Intelligence, gaming, creative industries and infrastructure. 

By integrating careers provision into the education system, we can bridge the skills gap and create an engaged workforce that is ready to meet the demands of the modern economy. 

Enhancing Employability 

Equipping students with relevant skills enhances their employability, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.  

Skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, oracy (the ability to express yourself fluently and coherently), adaptability, resilience, and digital literacy are increasingly valued by employers.  

By fostering these skills early on, we can ensure that young people are not only prepared for their first job, but also have the adaptability to navigate multiple career changes throughout their lives. 

Seeing how these skills can be applied to the โ€˜real wordโ€™ is also crucial. 

One way we do this is by supporting schools and colleges to provide regular engagement points for their students with employers. 

These can range from mock interviews and workplace experiences to big events, such as the recent Surrey Festival of Skills.  

We also look to level the field for those from disadvantaged backgrounds, as part of our wider No One Left Behind mission. So, we target our funding and interventions to support those young people who face multiple barriers to engaging in education, have additional needs and disabilities and experience socio-economic disadvantage.  

By creating opportunities for all, weโ€™re providing young people with the awareness and confidence to explore the range of opportunities that employers in Surrey can offer. 

Aligning Education with Industry Needs 

To effectively equip young people with relevant employment skills, it is essential to align the things taught in the classroom with industry needs.  

This requires collaboration between educational institutions, businesses, and policymakers at both a national and regional level. 

While we work strategically across Surrey, our work is guided and majority funded by The Careers & Enterprise Company, a national body funded by the Department for Education. 

It oversees the provision of quality careers education in schools and colleges across the UK. It ensures all activities are aligned to the Gatsby Benchmarks. And has resources so that young people receive the guidance and support they need to make informed career choices. 

One way we are doing this is by reinventing work experience, acknowledging that a shift to hybrid working makes intensive weekly or fortnightly programmes during the summer no longer feasible for many employers. 

Instead, we are encouraging a shift for students to gain regular experiences of the workplace throughout their time in secondary education. This will include short, targeted workplace visits; one-day project-based experiences; and longer structured placements.   

We are also working directly with employers to help them assess, monitor and improve their educational outreach, achieve social value commitments, create a diverse workforce, and recruit local talent into their business.  

Promoting Lifelong Learning 

Promoting opportunity does not stop as soon as people enter the workplace. 

The concept of lifelong learning is becoming increasingly important in todayโ€™s world of accelerated change.  

By instilling a love for learning and a commitment to continuous skills development, we can ensure that young people remain adaptable and resilient in the face of change.  

This mindset not only benefits their personal and professional growth, but also contributes to the overall economic health of the nation. 

One way weโ€™re doing that as a team is by running a programme of Teacher Encounters.ย ย 

This takes subject teachers out of their classrooms and into the workplace. We piloted it last year with the gaming and cybersecurity sectors in Surrey (see our LinkedIn post here). 

They learned how their subjects connect to the world of work and which skills employers need in their future workforce.  

We are scaling Teacher Encounters this academic year to include a wider range of industries โ€“ including construction, highways, creative & cultural industries, engineering and the NHS. If you want to get involved, then please contact us. 

There are also many opportunities out there right now for employers to invest in their workforce. 

One such as example is the Multiply scheme, which is free for those who do not have a GCSE in maths. 

These fun, flexible sessions are available both in person and online. And by encouraging your colleagues to take part you could help improve your business performance in the long run. 

Find out more on the Multiply page of the Surrey County Council website. 

How You Can Help 

These are just some ways we are focused on equipping our young people with the skills to support future business growth. But we cannot do it alone.  

The role of employers across the region is crucial to planning how we do this, and also in the delivery. 

There are several ways you can support this work.  

Weโ€™re currently looking for people with business experience to volunteer as Enterprise Advisers. This is a strategic role, working with Careers Leaders in schools to help them develop impactful careers programmes.  

Itโ€™s a hugely rewarding role. You will have direct influence on the direction of the careers programme in the school youโ€™re matched to. And you’ll help improve the prospects of the young people who attend that school.

If you want to know more, then please get in touch via our contact form. 

To see a full list of opportunities with the Surrey Careers Hub, visit the Surrey Careers Hub web page. 

A woman in a black and white dress stands behind a lectern addressing a group of people in a conference room. Behind her are promotional materials for the Surrey Careers Hub.

2024 Surrey Festival of Skills inspires thousands about their futuresย 

Published 17 October 2024

Skills and workforce

Thousands of young people in Surrey have been inspired and fired up about their futures thanks to the 2024 Surrey Festival of Skills. 

From supercars to snakes, cooking masterclasses to computer game demonstrations, there were opportunities galore for students to explore at the Surrey County Council event.

More than 2,000 students aged 14 to 18 packed into Surrey Sports Park in Guildford. They could meet, great and connect with dozens of employers, universities, FE colleges and training providers. 

The aim was to showcase the fantastic opportunities on offer to them in Surrey, both now and in the future. 

Highlights included hairdressing masterclasses, samosa making, VR headsets and a McLaren supercar. 

There were also animals aplenty โ€“ with snakes, stick insects and lizards joined by a horse-riding simulator and robotic dog. 

Young people who attended the free event described it as โ€œimpactfulโ€, โ€œrewardingโ€ and โ€œfantasticโ€. 

Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, opened the event. He said: โ€œNow in its second year, the Surrey Festival of Skills is a fantastic platform for organisations across the county to showcase the array of opportunities available to our young people.

โ€œSurrey has a vibrant and diverse economy, built on foundations of innovation and collaboration. Weโ€™re committed to working with public and private partners to grow our economy further while delivering benefits to our communities. 

โ€œBut we can only do this with a skilled and engaged workforce. That’s why itโ€™s so important to showcase the brilliant careers and training available to students right here on their doorstep.โ€

What is the Surrey Festival of Skills?

The Surrey Festival of Skills is open to all young people in education aged 14 to 18. This is regardless of whether they are educated in school, college, at home or by any other educational route. 

It is organised and funded by Surrey County Council, with support from the Association of Learning Providers Surrey (ALPS).  

Sponsorship for the 2024 edition was provided by consumer health company Haleon and highways services provider Ringway. 

More than 80 exhibitors took part representing a diverse range of industries. They included household names like Balfour Beatty, Siemens, McLaren, the Royal Navy and London Gatwick Airport. 

They were joined by specialist sectors such as gaming, cyber security, osteopathy, adult social care and early years. 

All of Surreyโ€™s further and higher education providers attended, along with a range of independent training providers. 

Public sector careers were championed by the Animal & Plant Health Agency, National Highways, NHS, Surrey Police and Surrey Fire & Rescue. 

“A day to remember”

Matt Furniss, the Councilโ€™s cabinet member for Highways, Transport and Economic growth, said: โ€œOnce again, the Surrey Festival of Skills has delivered a day to remember for everyone that took part. 

โ€œWe know days like this can play a huge impact on the choices young people make when they leave school or college.

โ€œI want to say a big thank you to all our exhibitors for once again supporting this fantastic event, especially our sponsors Haleon and Ringway. Thanks to their support, we can ensure this event remains free and accessible to thousands of young people across Surrey.โ€

Lewis Bridgman, Business Unit Manager at Ringway, said: โ€œRingway are committed to supporting local talent and building a brighter future for young people in our county. We believe in investing in skills and creating opportunities that pave the way for rewarding careers for a diversity of talent within the highways industry. Together we can build strong foundations for tomorrowโ€™s workforce. Ringway are proud to have sponsored the 2024 Surrey Festival of Skills.โ€

Abeera Mohammad, STEM Lead at Haleon said: โ€œHaleon are proud to have sponsored the Festival of Skills this year. As a world-leading consumer health company with our Headquarters based in Surrey, we were excited to promote STEM careers and give back to the community.โ€

Interested in supporting future skills initiatives in Surrey? Or Looking for support to skill up your workforce? Get in touch with the Business Surrey team via the contact us form.

You can also find about more about the event on the Surrey Festival of Skills website.

Five people - two women and three men - stand posing for a picture in front of promotional banners for the Surrey Festival of Skills. They are wearing professional outfits, including suits and shirts and smiling at the camera.
A teenager in a brown hooded top smiles at the camera while holding a large snake. He has headphones round his neck and is wearing a bag on his back. Next to him is a man in a black Activate Learning jacket. Both are smiling at the camera.
Thee teenager girls in school uniform walk alongside a robotic dog. They are in a sports hall and behind them are banners for the Surrey Festival of Skills.
An aerial view of a sports hall during a busy exhibition event. There are hundreds of people stood around dozens of stalls.

Fully-booked Surrey Festival of Skills set to be even bigger and better for 2024

Published 11 October 2024

Events and awards, Skills and workforce

The Surrey Festival of Skills is set to fire up thousands of young people to be inspired about their futures.

Now in its second year, the event gives over 2,000 young people the chance to connect with and learn more about some of Surreyโ€™s brightest and best businesses and training providers.

The Festival of Skills is open to all young people in education aged 14 to 18 โ€“ whether they are educated in school, college, at home or by any other educational route.

The event has been organised and funded by Surrey County Council, with support from the Association of Learning Providers Surrey (ALPS). Sponsorship is provided by consumer health company Haleon and highways services provider Ringway.

Due to overwhelming interest, regular registration is now closed, however the organisers are operating a waiting list for those who still wish to register.

Routes to work plus training and skills pathways

This free one-day careers event will be held at Surrey Sports Park, Guildford on Tuesday 15th October and will bring together over 80 exhibitors from a diverse range of industries, including household names like Balfour Beatty, Siemens, McLaren and London Gatwick Airport.

Organisations from more unexpected or specialist sectors will also be exhibiting on the day, representing areas as diverse as private detectives, cyber security, osteopathy and early years education.

All of Surreyโ€™s Further and higher education providers are exhibiting, along with a range of  independent training providers so that the young people attending can learn more about the  training and skills pathways available.

Public sector institutions will also be represented with the Animal & Plant Health Agency, National Highways, Police and Surrey Fire & Rescue among those attending.

The organisers expect this diverse mix of exhibitors will provide information, guidance and inspiration for the whole range of young people attending, no matter what their interests and future career aspirations may be.

Cllr Matt Furniss, Surrey County Councilโ€™s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport & Economic Growth, said: “We expect this yearโ€™s Festival of Skills to build on the success of last yearโ€™s inaugural event in providing the young people of Surrey with the chance to meet and speak with major employers and educators, learn about what theyโ€™re looking for, and be inspired about their futures.โ€

Lewis Bridgman, Business Unit Manager at Ringway said: โ€œRingway are committed to supporting local talent and building a brighter future for young people in our county. We believe in investing in skills and creating opportunities that pave the way for rewarding careers for a diversity of talent within the highways industry. Together we can build strong foundations for tomorrow’s workforce. Ringway are proud to sponsor the 2024 Surrey Festival of Skills.”

Abeera Mohammad, STEM Lead at Haleon said: โ€œHaleon are proud to be sponsoring the Festival of Skills this year. As a world-leading consumer health company with our Headquarters based in Surrey, we are excited to be able to promote STEM careers and have the opportunity to give back to the community.โ€

For further information visit www.surreyfestivalofskills.co.uk.

Tim Oliver, (leader, Surrey CC), Dawn Redpath (Surrey CC), Jack Kennedy (Surrey CC), Richard Grainger (Business Leaders Forum) at the 2023 event.

Boost business performance by improving your staff’s number skills with Multiply

Published 18 September 2024

Skills and workforce

If your workforce doesnโ€™t feel confident with numbers it could be holding your business back without you even realising it.

Studies have shown that almost half of the UK working population lack confidence using numbers โ€“ so itโ€™s likely that this could apply to some of your own team. But upskilling your staff by improving their number skills can help reduce number-related errors, increase productivity, improve staff retention and even increase profits.

Multiply can help improve number skills

Multiply is a range of free, flexible courses that can help your workforce improve their number skills and build their number confidence. The courses are funded by government so theyโ€™re completely free to learners. Thereโ€™s also no charge to businesses that want to upskill staff by sending them on an existing course or arranging a bespoke course for their organisation.

Thereโ€™s a huge range of Multiply courses available, from just a few hours online, to more in-depth and in-person courses taking place over a number of weeks. So thereโ€™s something to suit everyone โ€“ but if you canโ€™t find one to suit your workforceโ€™s needs, itโ€™s possible to arrange a bespoke program through one of the official Multiply providers.

Whoโ€™s eligible for Multiply?

Multiply is available to all Surrey residents aged 19 and over, who donโ€™t already have a Maths GCSE (or equivalent). In some cases, people who already have a Maths GCSE, but continue to feel unconfident with numbers, may still be eligible for improving their number skills with Multiply if it will help them to advance at work. And businesses that are based in Surrey can benefit from Multiply too.

Courses are running now, and continue until the end of March 2025.

Find out more

You can see the full list of available courses on the Multiply website.

If youโ€™d like to find out more about arranging bespoke courses for your organisation, email multiply.info@surreycc.gov.uk.

Upskill your staff and save on recruitment costs with Skills Bootcamps

Published 28 August 2024

Business news, Skills and workforce

Could your business be taking advantage of Skills Bootcamps – flexible training courses available to your workforce, with up to 90% of the costs covered by Government? 

Launched this summer, they provide support to help you train existing and recruit new members of staff – with skills that are focused on growing your business. 

They are delivered via Surrey County Council in a range of sectors crucial to the region’s future economy.

Get in touch today to find out how you could benefit.

Why Skills Bootcamps? 

For many businesses, particularly small or medium employers (SMEs), achieving the balance between upskilling staff and getting the job done can be difficult. 

Skills Bootcamps offer targeted and intensive training that is sector-specific.

They have been designed closely with industry ensuring content is relevant to your sector for growth, now and tomorrow.

They are also completed quickly, in just 12 to 16 weeks. 

Through supporting your talent via a Skills Bootcamps, you also demonstrate commitment to career progression, creating a loyal and skilled workforce. 

Gain support with staff recruitment and save on recruitment costs 

Recruiting the right people with the right qualifications is a challenge for many businesses. 

Did you know, in Surrey alone; 

  • In the health and social care sector, there are over 360 care worker vacancies  
  • In the construction sector, with a predicted demand for over 950,000 installations of retrofit measures, we will need to train around 166 retrofit professionals per year to the peak in 2037 

Skills Bootcamps have been specifically developed to address the skills gap in key sectors. 

Learners are trained online and many courses also include practical teaching and job-shadowing. This ensures they get a realistic understanding of the role before gaining employment.ย ย ย 

Plus, there is no cost to a business recruiting someone who has recently completed a Skills Bootcamp. 

What courses are available? 

Courses have been developed across nine growing industry sectors, aimed at supporting the success of your business and the wider economy. They are delivered through expert providers. 

Courses are available in: 

  • Health and Social Care  
  • Games Development 
  • Cyber 
  • Construction – Insulation, Retrofit & Heat pumps  
  • Sustainability & Carbon Management  
  • Advanced Engineering  
  • Green electrical โ€“ electric vehicles and solar panels 

Find our more on the Surrey County Council’s Skills Bootcamps website.

Who is eligible for a Skills Bootcamp? 

Any adult living in Surrey can sign up to a course. This is providing they have the right to work in the UK and they can commit to completing the course.  Adults can only sign up to one Skills Bootcamp a year.   

Skills Bootcamps are used by local businesses to upskill current employees at a discounted rate. Large employers will need to contribute 30% of the cost. Small or medium employers (SMEs) contribute 10%. 

A business may wish to send two or more members of staff on two identical or different Skills Bootcamps. But you cannot send one individual on more than one course in the same funding year. 

Are you a business wanting more information? Emailโ€ฏskillsbootcamps@surreycc.gov.uk. 

Or contact our team of experts direct via our Contact Us form. 

Digital Skills Centre opens at Guildford College in boost to Surrey economy

Published 1 August 2024

Skills and workforce

A new Digital Skills Centre has opened at Guildford College as part of wider efforts to bolster digital and creative skills in Surrey.

National figures show there are currently 2,500 vacancies in data-related roles across the county.

Activate Learning – which runs Guildford College – is working with local employers and strategic bodies like Surrey County Council to address immediate and long-term skills shortages in the data, tech, and cyber sector.

The new cutting-edge Digital Skills Centre at Guildford College is key to those efforts. It has been developed with ยฃ800,000 funding from the Department for Educationโ€™s Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF)

Why is Guildford’s Digital Skills Centre needed?

Digital skills have become fundamental across nearly every industry in Surrey. Yet there is a notable shortfall in local talent.

Nationally, the UK faces a significant challenge, with an estimatedย 178,000 to 234,000 unfilled data-related roles.

Withย 2,500 unfilled vacancies in Surrey alone, local employers are struggling to find candidates with the required digital and tech expertise. This hinders productivity and stifles innovation in a growing sector which is key to Surrey’s future economy.

Leaders at Guildford College say the investment in a new Digital Skills Centre showcases its commitment to cultivating the future talent necessary for sustaining growth and innovation in the region.

Neil Shoulder, Group Director of Guildford College, pictured below (left) said: โ€œWeโ€™re delighted to be launching the new Digital Skills Centre at Guildford College, which demonstrates our commitment to tackling the digital skills shortage in Surrey head-on.

“By offering targeted courses and training, we are ensuring that Surreyโ€™s economy remains dynamic and competitive in the global market.

“This initiative not only addresses immediate needs in the digital sector but also supports long-term growth and innovation โ€“ working with and providing local businesses with the skilled workforce they desperately need.”

Available courses at the Digital Skills Centre

The Digital Skills Centre will provide comprehensive programmes for career changers, young learners, and current employees seeking to upskill.

Courses and qualifications are aimed at all ages. This includesย T-Levelsย and Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), plus apprenticeshipsย in digital and tech subjects.

Courses will also meet the evolving demands of the industry, ensuring students have the necessary skills to excel in a competitive job market.

Among the first courses offered will be:

  • Practical AI in a Day: A four-hour course introducing AI technologies and the โ€˜prompt journeyโ€™ concept.
  • Applying AI in Your Business: An eight-hour course over two days that builds on this foundation with case studies and hands-on experience in using AI for data analytics and document production.

Visit the AI for Business page on the Activate Learning website to discover more.

Digital Skills Centre and local employers

Activate Learning says that Surrey businesses are key to the success of the Digital Skills Centre.

It is working withย iChooseLocal to reach out to local employers to engage in the programme. This will ensure the curriculum remains agile and responsive to industry needs.

It will also maintain a pool of skilled professionals who can significantly contribute to the local economy.

Jon Adams, Chief Strategy Officer at Activate Learning, said: “Guildford Collegeโ€™s investment in a new Digital Skills Centre is a transformative step towards acknowledging and addressing the critical skills shortages in Surreyโ€™s digital and tech sectors.

“By working with employers, we are ensuring that the talent needed for the local economy to grow and thrive is there and that Surrey remains at the forefront of technological advancement and competitiveness.

“This targeted use of LSIF funding will enable us to deliver bespoke training programmes that not only address the immediate skills shortages but also align with the future demands of the tech industry, ensuring sustainable economic growth and innovation in the region.”

Free workforce support for your Surrey business

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Business Surrey offer free expert support businesses of all sizes across the county. Get in touch on the links below.

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Introducing Work Wise employment support programme for jobseekers

Published 29 July 2024

Advice and support, Business news, Skills and workforce

Businesses are invited to get involved in Work Wise, a free employment support programme aimed at jobseekers aged over 16 who may struggle to get into work due to health issues or disability.

It has been designed to empower and bolster the local workforce, by providing support to jobseekers and improving their employment opportunities, and by supporting businesses to increase their workforce diversity and fill vacancies.

The programme is being delivered by Surrey County Council in partnership with Surrey Choices, Richmond Fellowship, Get Set UK, Surrey Welfare Rights Unit and Citizens Advice.ย 

Employment support for individuals

Individuals who register on the scheme will be paired with a dedicated employment specialist. For scheme participants who are already employed, their dedicated specialist will support them to stay in work, and for jobseekers, the specialist will assist with their job search and applications, assisting with CV writing, interview preparation and benefits advice.

Work Wise support for businesses

Surrey County Council will work with suitable businesses and employers in the County to help deliver the Work Wise programme. The Council can support businesses by helping to identify suitable roles, matching jobseekers to skills gaps, and importantly, providing training and advice to develop inclusive employee support services which benefit both employee and employer.

Mark Nuti, Surrey County Councilโ€™s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, and Public Health said:

โ€œMaking job opportunities accessible to everyone is very important to us. However, we know that people with disabilities or health challenges often face big challenges when trying to find work, so Iโ€™m delighted we are launching this initiative, providing vital employment support for those who need it most. Work Wise marks a significant step forward in improving job opportunities and breaking down barriers, empowering residents whilst helping to reduce unemployment rates, and fostering successful futures in our communities across Surrey so that no one is left behind.โ€

Businesses interested in taking part in the Work Wise scheme to help fill vacancies and get support to become a more inclusive employer can find out more here: www.surreycc.gov.uk/workwise  

Looking for free support and advice for your Surrey business?

Business Surrey is a Surrey County Council service providing free and accessible support for all businesses in Surrey.

Find out more about what we do and how to access our many business support services by completing our Contact Us form.

Or you can browse our directory of business support in Surrey. The directory includes more than 120 local, regional and national schemes and initiatives providing support, guidance and help with funding.

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