vision
65
www.northeastvision.co.uk
north east
Getting together to make
recruitment easier
I
MPROVING employers' access to job-ready
individuals was high on the agenda at an
event marking a strategic get-together of
organisations across the North East.
The Regional Employment and Skills
Partnership (RESP) hosted an event at St James'
Park, Newcastle, during October. The event was
organised in response to the Regional
Employability Framework (REF) and co-funded by
One North East, Jobcentre Plus and the Learning
and Skills Council (LSC).
The day was attended by more than 200
delegates from the private, public and third
sectors, all involved in the development and
delivery of services to improve skills and
employment in the region.
During the day, attendees heard a keynote
speech from Newcastle MP, Nick Brown, which
provided an overview of the region's response to
the recession.
Kevin Rowan, regional secretary of the TUC and
REF strategy chairman, also delivered a
presentation which provided an overview of
achievements since the REF was launched in
2006.
Coun Stephen Houghton, leader of Barnsley
Council and chairman of the National
Worklessness Panel, also talked about the role of
local authorities both as major employers and key
partners in addressing worklessness.
Howard Forrest, North East Employer Coalition
and chairman of the newly-constituted REF
employer group, said: "We were pleased with the
turnout for the event and saw a number of key
messages emerge that we can use for the benefit
of partners in the future.
"The event revealed the challenges for partners
and providers to ensure that small and medium-
sized employers receive the same employer offer
as large companies and ensure that employers are
clear about what the offer is.
"It also told us that funders have a key role to
play to ensure they don't fund unnecessary extra
staffing, but rather maximise existing employer
engagement services to streamline support."
Kim Smith, REF manager, added: "The ultimate
aim is to improve employability, making the
journey for employers accessing job-ready
individuals easier and less complex and this event
has proved a very useful tool."
Actions from the day will be taken forward by
the REF employer group, which boasts
representation from the CBI, Federation of Small
Business, North East Chamber of Commerce,
North East Regional Employers Organisation,
employers representing local authority
Employment and Skills Boards, Business and
Enterprise North East, the Alliance of Sector Skills
Councils, Strategic Health Authority, Jobcentre
Plus, the LSC and the TUC.
Kevin Rowan (TUC) said: "The two key
aspirations of the current Regional Economic
Strategy are to improve productivity of businesses
in the region and to increase participation in
economic activity.
"In its relatively short existence, the REF has
focused on actions and activities that specifically
We are all committed to
ensuring we make the
most of all of the talent
in the region and the REF
is a key tool
From left, Kate
Welch,
chairwoman of
REF
Communications
Group; Nick
Brown, MP; REF
manager Kim
Smith; and REF
strategy chairman
Kevin Rowan.
address these challenges.
"There can be little doubt that the challenges
the RES and the REF seek to address are
exacerbated by the economic environment left by
the economic downturn.
"If achievements to date are anything to go by
then those partners involved will all add that
extra bit of effort to ensure this work continues to
be successful. We are all committed to ensuring
that we make the most of all of the talent in the
region and the REF is a key tool in achieving that."One of the conference delegates speaks.
NEEC

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