Chamber News

Skills gap in rural areas in the UK While skills gap is a big issue in many parts of the country, we rarely think of the whereabouts of these skills gap. Rural areas, for example, are one of the most impacted by skills gap and retention challenges. There are many reasons for these issues including poor internet signals and rare to non-existent public transportation. All these commodities that big cities and wealthy areas have implemented already. So how can rural areas become more competitive for the workforce and retain their staff for longer? Are there any benefits that the rural population can benefit from? In this article, we address the main issues about skills gap in the rural areas while listing the main benefits of investing for the future workforce.   Why are rural areas reporting skills gap? According to the UK Parliament, rural areas find it hard to retain skills because of poor infrastructure, less attracting job offers and poor provision of essential services for keeping young people to live and work in rural areas. Some of major limitations rural areas face are:

• Limited range of job opportunities.
• Poor connectivity & high-speed internet, limiting digital skills availability.
• Transport and accessibility issues.
• Relative importance of self-employment and small businesses.
• Seasonalised / casualised labour markets meaning there is little incentive for investment in training.
• Importance of informal networks in accessing employment.
• Relatively low wage levels.

These facts alone are the main motivators for young & skilled individuals to move to bigger towns or cities where funding and investments are greater.   What are the reasons skilled individuals move to cities? According to the Digital Education Resource Archive (DERA), much of rural employment is also concentrated in small firms which further limits opportunities for young people to upgrade their skills and take up training (line 76). Ambitious skilled individuals will look to grow their careers within companies that offer trainings or position growth internally. Most rural areas are too limited with resources or accessibility, making it hard for them to grow their workforce and, therefore, their company. The lack of training or upskilling in these rural companies also become a cause for skilled individual to move to cities. For the young people who look for apprenticeship or internal training find more opportunities and space within busier & wealthier areas.   Why do some rural areas do better than others? According to webinar presenter Anupriya Misra, rural areas which have a wealthy local population or have products with strong global demand are likely to be high performing. Some rural areas have better ground available for big companies needing surface to build their resources/warehouses (e.g. Amazon Central). This positive outcome help create local jobs and retain local skills. In that principle, some rural areas will do better than others in which can offer such flexibilities to global companies. Living in Norfolk/Suffolk? Read what we are saying in LSIP Roadshow.   Benefits of improving skills gaps in rural areas If the budget would allow it, investing in rural areas could prove beneficial for:

• High-speed internet connectivity for digital skills: With high-speed internet, employers would be able to attract digital skills. But this availability would also improve lifestyle to homes & families on a daily basis.
• Offering local training & apprenticeship: With improved public transportation, young individuals will be able to access companies’ locations and improve their skills for the benefit of the company. But improved transportation would also help the population in being more mobile within the rural areas.
• More funding to help businesses expand in rural areas: With more funding available for rural businesses creates more openings for skilled individuals to fill. And with increasing job availability, the greater the retention of skilled workers.

  In a nutshell Living in rural areas can have several benefits and positive impact on a lifestyle. But when it comes to work and retaining young adults in the workplace, it may be a different challenge. The main challenges rural areas face to retain skilled workforce are poor internet connectivity, lack of public transportation, low number of openings and lack of training available for upskilling existing employees. Some of these pain points may be answered by levelling the company’s offerings (salary, training, etc) or by getting more help from the government and education. Some rural areas are struggling financially and cannot afford to upgrade their areas for better connectivity or more transportation. The young workforce is more and more moving to big cities where investments are promising employee growth and where skills are in demand. But there are great benefits in investing in rural areas such as retaining the young workforce and upgrading the local economy.   LSIP | Act now. Future-proof your workforce Complete our online free survey to make your voice heard. At Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, we have a team of experts that can help you figure out your business’ roadblocks. Find the Employer Survey here: https://form.jotform.com/223474490001043

The challenges facing UK exporters in 2023 are significant and it will take a concerted effort by our global network, working alongside the UK Government, to positively shift the dial. In 2022, exports increased by 6.7%, once the effect of inflation was removed, but this is still less than the value of goods and services the UK sold overseas in 2018. There were also warning signs in the data for the last quarter of 2022, with UK exports falling by 2.9% as economic headwinds continued to blow. For 2022, as a whole, the total annual trade balance in goods and services, excluding precious metals, widened by £85.3 billion to a deficit of £108 billion, when compared with 2021. The latest BCC data for Q4 of 2022 also paints a stark picture:

• Most Small and Medium Sized Enterprise (SME) exporters reported no improvement to exports, with 27% reporting decreased export sales in the quarter and 47% reporting no change.
• Only 26% of SME exporters saw increased export sales.
• The picture for future orders was even weaker with 28% reporting a decrease against 24% an increase.

With the World Trade Organisation forecasting global trade growth of just 1% in 2023, down from 3% in 2022, then it would appear there is little to cheer. While China’s reopening should ease production supply chains in the long-term, its suddenness could also add to the volatility, and it may create additional supply chain turbulence – if the Covid pandemic continues to impact its economic output. But there are some signs of better times ahead. The International Monetary Fund in its World Economic Outlook update in January indicated that global demand may pick up again – particularly in the second half of 2023. GDP growth in China is forecast to be 5.2% in 2023, and 6.1% in India (picking up to 6.8% in 2024). If consumer spending does pick up in China, and beyond, then there could be the potential for higher export sales carrying on into 2024. Top UK goods exports to China include vehicles, machinery, electrical equipment and pharmaceuticals. Other export markets which UK firms should be keeping an eye on are the EU, US, Switzerland, Canada, Norway, South Korea and Japan. But the outlook remains uncertain, and the UK Government must fight the corner of small and medium sized export firms. Issues on customs processes and checks arising from the Northern Ireland Protocol require speedy, stable, and certain resolution, as it still looms over the UK’s relationship with both the EU and the US. Outside of the EU, the US is our biggest trading partner, and the one that BCC members tell us they are most interested in. Yet progress on free trade talks is stalled, meaning that other, innovative ways to improve trade relations will be needed. And as the Good Friday Agreement silver anniversary looms, the UK has a golden opportunity to transform our trading relationship with our two biggest export markets in one fell swoop. Resolve the outstanding protocol issues and it should have benefits for UK businesses exporting in both east and west directions, as well as for Northern Ireland. This could also help pave the way to dealing with a further challenge that has reared its head on US trade relations. Recently it has taken a more ‘America First’ stance in certain sectors. The Inflation Reduction Act is a new system of tax credits for buying domestic or North American produced goods or components within supply chains. The EU has spoken out and is engaged in continuing dialogue with the US on protecting its market access and retaining competitiveness. It has also raised the prospect of its own new Net Zero Industry Act which would look to create ‘conducive conditions’ for sectors crucial to Net Zero. Measures proposed by the European Commission in recent weeks are being considered by member state governments and trade policy is being discussed in March’s meeting of Heads of Government in the European Council. While the eventual outcomes of this transatlantic policy dialogue remain to be seen the UK Government must ensure that UK businesses are not left out in the cold and our own trade interests are represented in future decisions on supply chain tax credits, subsidies, and investment opportunities. We must also do all we can to prevent an overly protectionist mindset taking hold in our major trading partner economies. The commitments made in our trade agreements on level playing fields and open, transparent subsidy systems and controls need to be implemented in their spirit as well as in their words. The UK, EU and US have common interests around climate change and the green transition. More must be done in 2023 to ensure the rules, facilitating trade in renewables and green goods and services, work to meet the demand of both US and EU consumers and UK exporters. Action is also needed to digitalise trade this year bilaterally, and through action at the World Trade and World Customs Organisations. The UK Government must also finally grasp the nettle and look at changes to the Trade and Co-operation Agreement with the EU, to make our exports more competitive, and with lower compliance costs and red tape burdens. There are straightforward changes that can be made to the Brexit trade deal – in areas such as checks on food exports and VAT requirements that could make a real difference. Financing for export opportunities needs to be looked at afresh. The time, planning and resource a business must invest in making an effective entry into a new overseas market is a barrier for many smaller firms. The UK Government should look at how it can be made easier for firms to access effective end-to-end finance to invest in scaling-up their export activity. A key focus must be supporting the expanding world of innovative new green products and services as a major route to growth. The Chamber network and our wider global affiliates have a huge amount of experience in international commerce, and we can act as a trade accelerator for the Government if it wants to maximise new overseas opportunities for UK business. The year ahead is likely to be one of the most difficult for trade in recent memory even as supply chain disruption unwinds, and Chinese production and trade routes slowly reopen. But the right action now could put the UK in the exactly the right place to take advantage of the new market in greener products and services that are set to be major growth areas for UK trade for years to come.

The Royal Norfolk Show will be hosting a new project this year – the STEMM Village. The STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine) Village will ‘provide a platform to educate and inspire teenagers in how STEMM can help us address global challenges such as clean energy, disease prevention and food security, with a particular focus on revolutionising agriculture’. As the world faces an increasingly uncertain future, educating future generations on the importance of protecting the planet, and STEMM provides a unique opportunity to do so. Visit the STEMM Village and the Norfolk Chambers at the Royal Norfolk Show on 28th & 29th June 2023, at the Norfolk Showground.

Reacting to news of a proposed agreement on the Northern Ireland Protocol, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The BCC has long been calling for a negotiated solution to the trading difficulties caused by the initial version of the protocol. “Businesses in both Northern Ireland and Great Britain have been calling for a considerable reduction in checks and documentary requirements to move everyday goods across the Irish Sea. We will be closely considering the legal texts and their full implications, but this appears to be a positive step toward achieving this goal. “The Green Lane proposal should offer a green light to future prosperity in Northern Ireland. “But more broadly businesses in the UK will welcome the potential for stabilising relations with the EU. “There is now the potential to move to a new phase of co-operation on trade, regulation, climate, migration and supply chain issues. “With the UK economy teetering on the cusp of a recession this could help drive growth for both Northern Ireland and the UK more widely. “We hope the UK Government, EU member state governments, and the EU institutions will seize this opportunity to improve our relationships, cut costs and remove red tape for exporting businesses.”

British Chambers of Commerce Global Annual Conference 2023 Wednesday 17 May QEII Centre, London The British Chambers of Commerce is delighted to present their Global Annual Conference 2023. The full day conference will be an opportunity for businessleaders from across the UK, and the globe, to come together to discuss the opportunities for growth to help local communities thrive. Throughout the day, delegates will hear from key senior politicians and other notable public-figures about their plans for growth. The conference will be centred around four key breakoutsessions for thought-provoking discussion amongst peers across the Chamber Network. The four sessions are:

• Skills;
• Green Innovation
• Growth / Local Thriving Communities; and
• Trade.

Away from the sessions, the Networking Zone is an opportunity for delegates to meet existing and new contacts; and the exhibition stands will see the best of British business, and the Chamber Network, from across the UK and around the world showcasing their work. Further details will be available over the coming weeks. Stay tuned to the BCC website and BCC Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook so you don’t miss any updates. How much are tickets? This year ticket prices are as follows:

• Chamber Member= £125.00plusVAT
• Non-members= £250.00plus VAT

How do I register?Tickets go on sale on Monday27 February via the BCC website.

Skills gaps. Chances are, you have felt them within your business. Throughout this article, we’ll explore the three main skills gaps reported in East Anglia covering communication, digital, and project management skills. These three skills gaps are often considered basic skills but, as we’ll see, there are various roadblocks and barriers to entry for many employees. We’ll break down what these skills entail, the pain points, and how we can move forward to work on closing the gap. Communication skills What is a communication skill? Communication skills are best described under five essential skills:

• Written communication
• Oral Communication
• Non-verbal and visual communication
• Active listening
• Contextual communication

An individual has a high communication skill when they can:

• understand the situation
• listen to the audience they are interacting with
• convey that same information across all stakeholders and being open-minded with the solutions at hand
• be great at communicating ideas
• read body language, be open-minded with discussions
• build presentations to illustrate the challenges at hand

How is it a skills gap? Some would argue that with the recent technology surge and online availability, the young generation gets easily distracted by phone notifications, quick messaging, an abundance of abbreviated words (tbh, brb, afk), and other instances that could get in the way of good communication skill. But it is also true that with the new wave of work from home possibilities, reading body language and building a strong relationship with your people online might alter this communication skill and build into something else. As businesses find, the need for good communication skills also lies within all ways employees communicate, from being polite on email and being well-mannered on a video call through to building satisfactory presentations for a meeting. More often, business owners find some employees and new recruits are lacking these basic skills which complicate projects or relationships with their clients.   Digital skills What is a digital skill? Digital skills can be anything from opening your email application to conducting in-depth data analysis on a computer. The core elements that construct digital skills are:

• knowledge and control of a device (mobile, desktop, tablet, etc)
• understanding of applications needed for the work
• navigating and staying safe on the internet
• creating and editing online documents
• performing basic technical tasks on a device
• and more…

You’ll also find that digital skills play a huge role in the following disciplines:

• content creation
• digital data analysis
• SEO and web development
• social media management
• video editing
• digital design creation
• and so on…

The key part of being competent in digital skills is to be literate with a computer or any other devices that will serve the job role. How is it a skills gap? You may be shocked to learn that this is a major skills gap in this day and age, especially when new generations are diving deep into the “matrix” on a daily basis. It is often more the case that younger generations are extremely literate when it comes to social media and playing digital games, but not so well versed when it comes to using a computer and understanding its complexities. There’s also a skills gap in interpreting online data to solve a digital problem and improve a company’s ROI or other KPIs. One can find an abundance of information online, but finding the relevant & trustworthy information and applying it to the company itself is a different challenge. More broadly, businesses have found a gap when it comes to social media management. Consuming social media is vastly different from developing the right strategy with the right content for that business’ purposes. Managing social media is not simply to post the face of someone that works there; there must be deeper reasons to justify these digital efforts and for the company to see a result on time/resources investments.   Project management skills What is a project-management skill? Project management core skills lies in:

• communication and interpersonal skills
• ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts
• having a critical thinking with a level of leadership
• building commitment within the team

In short, being a leader with the right level of coordination and organisation skills are key to this skill. Being a successful project management skill also comes with:

• the ability to track progress
• manage clients’ expectations
• communicate between the different departments in a language they understand
• reduce frustration where possible
• manage stressful deadlines while conducting a positive mindset
• deliver the end of a project in a timely fashion
• effectively supporting your team during the process while elevating everyone’s hard work (rewards, feedback, etc)

The challenge with this skill is the level of in-depth project management needed from the position and the work environment. Some companies will use basic software to manage projects that are easy to jump on from day one, while other companies may implement a more robust project management process that could require a certification. For example, there are PRINCE2 and AgilePM frameworks that require specific training. How is it a skills gap? As mentioned above, project management certifications are available online, although not at a cheap price tag. As a result, the growth rate of new and qualified project managers isn’t enough to meet skyrocketing demand within all industries. Because project managers need to have communication and digital skills, it is hard to find the right candidate that also understands the industry the business is in. Which is why project management is a skill in high demand around the world. There is also a need for the company to implement the foundation of a project management system that makes sense for the company and for all the different departments, as it is also reported that skilled project managers will move on to a new company where the skill is appreciated and setup for it.   To conclude As our 2023 survey shows, the three most reported skills are communication, digital, and project management in East Anglia. Looking at the UK and the rest of world, we can see this is true for many countries. The ability to communicate, understand situations, interpret data and people, and having strong organisational skills are highly sought after skills on the market. With the increase of online demand and new businesses coming on the market, the demand for these skills is skyrocketing. With the widely available online courses and accreditations for anyone to access, it is still a challenge to find the right person that will fit into your industry & company’s culture. Before jumping into filling a new job position, you could investigate your own workforce and upskills those that are motivated to grow within your business. If you are still unsure about how to fill in your new job role or upskills your own employees, fill in our online free survey to make your voice heard. At Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, we have a team of experts that can help you figure out your business’ roadblocks. Find the Employer Survey here: https://form.jotform.com/223474490001043  

The British Chambers and the wider Chamber network, including Norfolk Chambers of Commerce is calling on the Chancellor to use his Spring Budget to relieve cost and recruitment pressures on business. It follows the release of new research which reveals how low business confidence has fallen at the start of 2023. Among the findings from the survey, of more than 1,000 firms, are:

• Two-thirds of businesses (65%) plan to raise prices due to cost pressures 

• Almost half (47%) say paying energy bills will be difficult when the current business support package ends 

• More than half (52%) are consistently experiencing difficulties recruiting staff 

• Concerns around regulation and taxation are regularly troubling a third of firms (30%) 

The survey backs up findings from the British Chambers of Commerce’s most recent Quarterly Economic Survey of more than 5,000 companies which found business confidence remains at Covid-crisis levels. It found that only one in three (34%) businesses believed their profits will increase over the coming year, and more (36%) expected a decline.   While a quarter of firms reported a decrease in sales in the last quarter of 2022, with hospitality firms the least likely to report improvements. Commenting on the findings, Nova Fairbank, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chambers said: “This snapshot of the state of play for business at the start of 2023 sets out exactly why the Chancellor must act in his budget to fuel investment in the UK. “We know we have a tough year ahead. With costs piling up on their doorsteps and so much uncertainty on Government policies, there is currently little incentive for firms to risk either their dwindling cash reserves or fresh loans on new projects. “Firms know that the UK’s finances are tight, but the Chancellor needs to show more faith in the ability and talent of our businesses. “If they can see the Government is prepared to invest in them, by taking action on childcare, energy costs, green funding and Solvency II, then the future could soon look a lot rosier and greener.” British Chambers and the wider Chamber network has set out four key areas where the Chancellor must act in the budget if businesses are to make headway in bolstering the economy in 2023. These are:

•  Unlocking talent and easing pressure in the labour market by making childcare more affordable for cash-strapped parents and guardians    
• Boosting the UK’s start-ups by further reforming the business rates system to remove the upfront financial squeeze they face    
•  Setting a framework for Solvency II investment that helps direct funds to SMEs where they can have the most impact, leveraging the opportunities of green innovation  
•  Funding to help businesses become greener and more energy efficient  

The BCC’s four non-negotiables form part of its wider budget submission to the Treasury. It contains a list of 24 recommendations for the Chancellor that could create the conditions businesses need to power the UK’s economic recovery.

Today, some of the Chambers team were invited alongside business leaders to a tour of Westcotec’s recently renovated office and factory in Dereham. The event kicked off at Barnham Broom at 10am with bacon rolls and a welcome from Managing Director, Chris Spinks. Who are Westcotec and what do they do? Westcotec has been at the forefront of the vehicle-activated sign industry since 2001. They have grown to become one of the biggest suppliers of quality vehicle-activated signs in the UK. At the heart of their growth, is a commitment to customer service. In 2018, Westcotec became one of the first companies in East Anglia to become an employee-owned business, in which a trust oversees the business operation of the company, and the day-to-day operations are managed by the board of directors in place. Following Chris’ welcome, a coach collected the attendees and they took a short ride to the Westcotec premises in Dereham. Splitting into two groups, short presentations from Olly Samways, Director of Sales, and Chris Spinks, MD was given before they had the chance to look around the factory and office, and network with the staff. Amy Patterson, Marketing and Communications Manager at Norfolk Chambers said “It was fascinating to hear all the statistics of how these signs are savings people’s lives on the roads every single day. The evidence is clear that using educational signs to give drivers more knowledge is making a difference. The factory and office not only look great, but it is evident that a lot of thought has gone into every tiny detail, and always to benefit the staff. The culture at Westcotec is one that every business strives towards.” Following the tour, the attendees returned to Barnham Broom via coach to finish the day with lunch and networking. A big thanks to the whole Westcotec team for the event. We look forward to working with the team again to bring back the Bikers Breakfast on 12^th May 2023.

Skills challenges – chances are, you have felt them within your business. So, what is the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) doing to highlight the employer skills challenges across Norfolk and Suffolk? Over the next few weeks, we’re hosting a series of free to attend events across Norfolk and Suffolk, for you to come and discuss keys areas of the LSIP programme. The first LSIP Roadshow event was held on Wednesday 22nd February at the Maid’s Head Hotel in the heart of Norwich. This event sold out within two weeks, highlighting how important businesses feel the skills gap issue in Norfolk is. We are working with the Department of Education (DfE) and our colleagues, the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce to engage with businesses that are demanding change within the skills provision. By talking to us, and sharing insights, we are better placed to highlight the skills gaps across Norfolk and Suffolk. We are asking businesses who are looking to future proof their growth, to engage and collaborate with us – these frontline experiences form the catalyst that will develop the LSIP Plan. “We must upskill and mobilise Norfolk.” The morning event started with a welcome from Dean Pierpoint, LSIP Project Manager, and an opening address from Tom Humphries, Skills Policy Manager at Norfolk County Council. Tom gave an outline of what a County Deal for Norfolk involves, saying, “We have to upskill and mobilise Norfolk.” This is the second attempt at a devolution deal – now under a different framework that puts rural communities on a standing of their own. He explained the funding will boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards and importantly empower local leaders and communities, “The LSIP plays a really important role for Norfolk skills and is a significant opportunity for our county – get involved and get your voice heard.” He went on to say that the LSIP is ‘developing our system – it’s a dialogue with employers and is evidence of where we will be funding’. “Communication in business is key, so use your voice to have an impact.” Dean Pierpoint, LSIP Project Manager spoke on the issues affecting Norfolk and Suffolk businesses right now; “Change is afoot, our counties are facing a massive skills problem but we’re going to change the skills landscape for the Region”. “However, we are here to identify the positives through collaboration and spreading the word.” The business community has a voice to encourage greater collaboration between employers and training providers. When asked on ‘what can businesses do now?’, Dean went on to say, “Communication in business is key, so use your voice to have an impact!” The final guest speaker was John Fowler, Senior Account Manager from Turning Factor, who spoke about the recruitment/retention dilemma that faces many businesses, citing 75% of people leaving a business will put it down to poor management and leadership. Empowering and engaging your team is what should drive your company’s mission, it should be the catalyst to your business’s growth. Questions raised. Susan Falch-Lovesey, Stakeholder Manager, Business Development at Equinor asked on the research process and getting down to the granular data, ‘Are you looking at specific sectors for a bigger impact and the big wins? Rob Panter, Managing Director at Canham Consulting talked on the lack of direct paths for people in Norfolk to train in Norfolk. ‘Young people must be trained outside of Norfolk; it’s exhausting for them and its expensive for businesses – they need to be trained here and trained properly.” Sally Butcher, Managing Director at Realise Futures said, “Our company absolutely promotes everybody with disabilities, I’m concerned we’re going to see a lot of people left behind in skills”. She went on to say, “Qualifications aren’t always the route to progress, soft skills, communication and working in a team are vital skills to learn.” Jonathan Cage, Managing Director at Create Consulting  asked on the future of the programme, ‘Where does this sit in the future?’ Tom at Norfolk County Council responded with ‘A devolved Norfolk with autonomy should look very different from a Brussels decision.” Gordon Simpson, Partner at Howes Percival LLP a Cornerstone Group employer said, “Young people are not work ready, we really need to tackle work experience – young people need that spark and enthusiasm”. Angela Carpenter, Pathways 50+ and Account Manager for Futures for Business spoke on the problems within Norfolk and Suffolk seem to lie in working with schools and employers – “There is a particular mindset when it comes to grants and funding.” All of the questions raised at the LSIP Roadshows will be taken into consideration when assessing the skills gaps in Norfolk and Suffolk – so we need to hear from businesses of all sizes and sectors.  Thank you so much to all our guests for attending, and to the Maids Head Hotel for their hospitality. If you like the sound of this event, and you want to hear more about LSIP why not come along to our upcoming LSIP events? The next event is on Wednesday 15th March at the Thomas Paine Hotel, Thetford. For a full list of all dates click here Why should you get involved?

• You want to increase the growth of your business.
• You want your team to have the skills they need to be engaged, empowered, and moving forwards.
• It’s vital to retain the talent within your business.
• You want to attract the right people, for culture, for growth and for success.

We are engaging with businesses of all sizes, stakeholders, colleges, training providers and universities to enable a more responsive and collaborative approach to the development of the local workforce. What happens next? Over the coming months, we will be conducting Employer Engagement surveys, telephone interviews, opportunities for 1-2-1 discussions, focus groups and events. Our LSIP Board is now in place to provide direction, oversight, and review of the development of an effective LSIP for the region, the first meeting took place yesterday, 17th January and was a huge success in steering the programme forward. You can view the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce LSIP programme of events across Suffolk here            

Norfolk Chambers of Commerce board member, Glen Webster, Business Banking Regional Manager at Barclays has recently stepped down after serving on the board for four years. Glen shares the passions of the Chambers and has the same desire to assist and promote local businesses for the greater good of the local economy. Glen supported the Chambers with many events including flagship events and has been very supportive of kick-starting the Business Climate Leaders programme. We asked Glen a few questions about his time on the board: Where do you feel you made the biggest difference? Connecting businesses to each other or to key contacts within the chamber or other support networks – it was always about who could help them realise their ambitions. What are your plans going forward within the business community? I hope to continue to support businesses through my day job at Barclays and also through a continued close alliance with Norfolk Chambers and all the services and support they offer. How does your role at Barclays help the Norfolk business community? My team and I seek to be partners in growth with local SMEs by supporting them directly through the many services we provide and increasingly through partners and signposting local organisations and individuals who can be of benefit. Nova Fairbank, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chambers says, “It has been a pleasure having Glen on the Norfolk Chambers Board. He has brought a wealth of experience and enthusiasm. Glen and Barclays have supported business engagement across Norfolk. Having served his term on the Board, Glen has now stepped down, but we look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with Glen and Barclays.”

Employers have told us that they face a skills shortage that could impact the future success of businesses. In response, the government has worked alongside hundreds of employers to design T Level courses that deliver the skills your business needs. 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. At the heart of each course, every T Level student completes an industry placement that lasts a minimum of 315 hours (approximately 45 days). Industry placements give you a unique opportunity to help develop new talent in your industry, and get young people work-ready.

1. Develop your future talent/workforce and bring fresh ideas and perspective
2. Flexible scheme to meet your business
3. A new qualification developed in collaboration with employers
4. An industry placement is at the heart of each T Level
5. Government funded scheme, but you may have your own business costs
6. The qualification designed by employers to provide the skills set you need

T Levels and industry placement support for employers

The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce have launched their Engagement Focus Groups for 2023 and are delighted to announce that local broadband experts Upp are sponsoring the series of events. Upp is rolling out its ‘next level broadband’ to towns across Norfolk and the East of England. Their plans include investing in underserved areas and creating jobs as they grow. Upp follows eco-friendly practices wherever they can in order to provide reliably fast full fibre broadband to businesses and residents. “Fast reliable broadband that covers every corner of your home or office isn’t just a nice to have; it’s become a necessity, and our team is dedicated to delivering it across Norfolk. We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Engagement Focus Groups and looking forward to connecting with people across the county and hearing their thoughts. Being able to influence change and make Norfolk an even better place for business is important to us” says Edward Money, Director of Brand Experience and Product for Upp. The Engagement Focus Groups are coming to a town near you, with over 15 focus groups planned throughout the year. At least one Board member of the Norfolk Chambers will attend each group. The Focus Groups kicked off at Redwings Horse Sanctuary for the first of the North Norwich and North Norfolk Focus events. The Norfolk Chambers aim is to have groups in many towns, market towns, and villages across Norfolk, to connect, support, and give voice to every business in Norfolk. These groups are accessible to all businesses, whether you are a Chambers member or not. Nova Fairbank, CEO of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce says, “These groups will provide attendees with a platform to debate issues that are most important to them, and their business. The Chamber network will lobby and influence on their behalf, using the Chambers dedicated team, website, social media channels, and digital platform. “The feedback will be used by the team and the Chamber’s Board, to help shape the strategic direction of Norfolk Chambers to ensure we can truly be the voice of Norfolk businesses.” Whether the local challenge is connectivity, skills, road, rail, digital infrastructure, recruitment, or the rising costs of doing business, these Engagement Focus Groups are for you. They are free to attend and can be booked here.