Business Support
Skills Gap Analysis
Our research into skills gaps has come about directly as a result of the Education, Training and Employment Task Group which reports to the Maldon District Local Strategic Partnership.
Following many national debates around the issue of skills gaps, we felt that it was important to discover whether local businesses faced similar difficulties. The aim of this piece of work was to use the partnership to help resolve any issues and to make a positive contribution to the continued success of the local economy.
Initially, we distributed 400 questionnaires to businesses based in the Maldon District of which 51 responses were received.
The questionnaire asked businesses for their perceptions of the following subjects:
- Difficulties they had experienced recruiting the right people
- Current skills shortages
- How new and emerging technologies will affect the way they do business
- What skills are needed to ensure that their business is able to meet the opportunities and challenges of the next 5-10 years and beyond
Summary of responses
80% of respondents experienced a shortage of the right people and/or skills. These were mainly in the following areas:
- Manufacturing/engineering
- Chefs
- Construction/trade skills
- Sales
- Administration staff
What happens next
This report has now been presented to the Education, Training and Employment Task Group, and the Local Strategic Partnership Steering Group. The information will then be used to help decisions on the direction of educational delivery in the Maldon District.