A DYNAMIC new partnership to ensure a vital pipeline of workplace talent for employers is on course to provide a skilled workforce for the future.

Spearheaded by business leader Peter Russell, chairman of recruitment specialists Russell Taylor Holdings Ltd, the alliance between businesses, educationalists, training providers and youth organisations is aimed at giving young people their first chance to get on the jobs ladder. It’s also designed to offer a second chance to many others - such as armed forces veterans and the socially excluded - to join the world of work.

Peter, a keen champion of developing and nurturing talent within his own organisation as well as in the local communities where the business has its roots, explained: “Bridging the gap between aspiring young talent and forward-thinking companies has never been more important than now, with greater attention on engagement between employers, schools and colleges at the forefront of our mindset.

“As workplace needs become even more complex, strong collaboration among these groups is crucial to address our current skills gaps so we can prepare the next generation to become the business leaders of tomorrow.

“However, the focus of our talent pools need not be limited to young people alone, important as this is to setting students and school-leavers on their career paths. Recruiting armed forces veterans who have many life skills, ex-offenders who have been shown to become loyal and hard-working employees are all deserving of a second chance - hopes and dreams of worthwhile employment still very much apply here.”

Peter’s partnership events, regularly staged at Russell Taylor Holdings' headquarters at Burton Manor, include representatives from Wirral Chamber of Commerce, Wirral Metropolitan College, Hugh Baird College in Liverpool, Wirral’s John Plessington High School, The Hive Youth Zone in Birkenhead as well as training, HR and sector skills experts.

Presentations at the most recent event came from Dean Greaves, membership manager of the Women Into Science and Engineering WISE campaign; Dave McCormick, project manager of Russell Taylor Holdings’ subsidiary Curtis Paint Group, which has a growing apprenticeship programme, and Sue Henry, director of MSH Partnership which specialises in workplace wellbeing.

Peter added: “Everyone brings their own particular skills and knowledge to these meetings where we can share information about ongoing initiatives, trends and programmes that link in to the important agenda of getting people into work, their training and development and how we retain them in the workplace.

“As the group grows so does the awareness of how no one in business, training or education can stand alone to close up our regional skills gaps. Harnessing all this expertise is hopefully a step in the right direction.”

CAPTION:
Peter Russell (left) with Dean Greaves