The Chambers inaugural engagement focus groups have now been held in both Norwich (Tuesday 06 September) and Great Yarmouth (Thursday 08 September) and the King’s Lynn group will meet on Friday 23 September. The inaugural groups were led by our CEO, Nova Fairbank. Norfolk Chambers mission is to connect, support and give voice to every business in Norfolk. The Engagement Focus Groups provide a platform for local businesses, both members and non members, to debate issues that are most important to you, and your business. They will help us to understand the immediate needs of the business community and will inform any lobbying and influencing we do on your behalf, using our dedicated team, our website, social media channels, and our digital platforms. Whilst we have kicked the Engagement Focus Groups off in the major city and towns, we are determined to represent businesses across the whole of Norfolk, and we will bring these groups to the market towns, villages and more rural locations in the upcoming months. Watch this space to see where the nearest group to you will meet. Click here to view our upcoming Focus Groups It has come to no surprise that the key points taken from the recent Engagement Focus Groups are concerns around the cost-of-living crisis and how this will impact businesses, as well as challenges with recruitment. Just some of the key points highlighted by the two groups were:
- Everyone highlighted recruitment struggles around accessing skilled and experienced people
- What will the cost-of-living crisis do to the wellbeing of those that either have to, or choose to work from home?
- Independent traders are likely to be in the firing line as people tighten their belts – how can we support these businesses?
- Older people already have a level of work experience – so accessing skills is not just for young people – how do older people upskill or re-skill?
- Soft skills are still a challenge for employers – do we need to change our perception of young people and should we expect to have to teach them the soft skills we need?
- Lots of uncertainty in the construction industry – cost of materials. Smaller projects are on hold until businesses know more
- Need more apprenticeship advice and awareness for parents – i.e. demonstrate the wider benefits of an apprenticeship
- STEM industry in the region are increasing with multiple projects in the pipeline however people are unaware of the supportive scheme running in the background to support people coming into the industry and those companies bidding for work.
- Businesses used cash reserves to get through COVID period and no longer have these emergency funds to fall back on.
- SME transport businesses with current pressures will be unable to fund the change to EVs which could force them to close.
Our thanks go to the amazing business contributors including: STEMPOINT East, Method Marketing, Osborne Creative, Access Creative College, Natwest, Chadwicks, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, East Norfolk Sixth Form, CJC Consultants, Impact Energy Consultants, Dan Morgan, Isle Architects, Coaching Limited and Nexus Tree Consulting We are now looking forward to the Engagement Focus Group in King’s Lynn – if you want to join in, there is still time to book your place. If you would like our Engagement Focus Groups to come to your town or village, please email [email protected] with your suggestions. Image credit – Rebecca Osborne, Osborne Creative
