Latest Updates From Surrey Chambers CEO – 10th August 2023
10th August 2023
This week will see the formal approval of the Local Skills Improvement Plan for the Surrey and North and Mid Hampshire area, which is already delivering on its’ findings. The launch of a Future Skills Forum is taking place at Farnham Castle on 19th September, and we already have over 80 sign ups. This event aims to create a productive exchange of information enabling employers and training providers to come together and collaborate to everyone’s advantage. There will be sector specialists from some of the key local sectors as well as representatives from many training organisations, including colleges, universities and private training providers.
Local activity
Creativity has been rife in the chamber with many different types of events being created. Our latest novel idea is a Dog Netwalking event on the 11thSeptember, meeting at the bottom of the glorious Box Hill. What better way to start your week and you don’t even have to have a dog; you can just join the walk and enjoy the scenery and of course the networking.
Following a great turn out for our AI session, we are continuing with our series of on-line training sessions with “Getting more Sales with LinkedIn!” followed by “Psychological Safety in the Workplace”.
We are delighted to hear that one of our members “2020 the Musical” is receiving great publicity at the Edinburgh Fringe as they prepare to perform their show. They have performed at a couple of Chamber events and gained the support of a number of fellow members.
In conjunction with WokingWorks we are delivering some International Trade training, led by expert, Linda Bazant covering the topics of Incoterms, UK Customs and procedures and Customs documentation. We are always keen to support exporters to extend their reach or encourage new exporters to take that first step!
National activities
Our Chamber network has announced the launch of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Workplace Equity Commission, with members including Stonewall Chair Iain Anderson, Ayesha Hazarika MBE, Women of the World founder and CEO Jude Kelly CBE, and Scope CEO Mark Hodgkinson. Convening national experts, business leaders and representatives from the UK and international Chamber networks, the group will produce recommendations for Government and business to progress the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion agenda in the workplace. The Commission will examine workplace equity from several angles including age, disability, race, gender and LGBTQ+, while also considering the intersectionality of these factors. It will also look at how employers can be supported to unlock the talent and potential of all individuals in the workforce. True equity across our workplaces is not only important for our society, it is also imperative to the functioning of a healthy economy. This Commission will look at how employers are currently addressing ED&I issues in the workplace, and the impact this has on the recruitment, retention and progression of a skilled workforce – an issue of particular relevance given today’s incredibly tight labour market and something most of us highlighted in our Local Skills reports. At Surrey Chambers we are already delivering informational events to help employers to access untapped talent and consider neurodiversity in their workforces. We will be sharing some fantastic success stories and hope to see many employers across Surrey at the 3 events.