New Website Matches South West Companies with Engineers

A new website that includes an online skills ‘dating agency’ is being rolled out as part of a project to retain engineering and technical skills in the south west. The new South West Talent Retention Scheme (TRS) website - www.talentsouthwest.org.uk - enables advanced engineering companies that are recruiting to go online and to match their needs with the skills of people who are either out of work or at risk of redundancy. The project, which is supported in the region by West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF) and EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, is a key element in ensuring that skills that might otherwise be lost to the region are retained in the south west. “There is a lot of evidence that when engineers and technicians lose their jobs, they often either move out of the region or into different sectors, meaning that their skills are lost to local advanced engineering companies,” says Malcolm Pemble, Operations Manager at EEF in the south west. “Through the TRS website, businesses that are recruiting can use a ‘dating agency’ approach to search online for the people they need. This will provide support for growing advanced engineering companies in the south west while at the same time ensuring that the region as a whole retains the talent it needs to exploit future opportunities in areas such as low carbon technologies and renewable energy.” The TRS is open to companies in advanced engineering sectors such as aerospace and defence, automotive, marine, machining, medical, manufacturing industries and original equipment manufacture. Companies who are recruiting can register with the new TRS website to search the online database for local people with appropriate skills. Employers considering or embarking upon a redundancy programme can likewise receive expert help, including ensuring that employees are listed on the online vacancy database system. For individuals, TRS advisors provide intensive advice and support, including career counselling, CV advice, interview skills training, and access to vacancies posted by companies on the scheme website. The new website also provides access to valuable downloadable information and advice for employers and individuals. “We are all aware that trading conditions remain volatile, which means that while some companies are shedding jobs, others are struggling to find and recruit appropriately skilled people,” says Barry Warburton, Chief Executive at the West of England Aerospace Forum. “The Talent Retention Scheme offers support for both sets of circumstances, with the ultimate aim of securing our pool of engineering and technician talent for a future that will increasingly be driven by innovation and knowledge.” Companies and individuals can register for the Talent Retention Scheme by going to www.talentsouthwest.org.uk or by calling 01275 878231. All services are provided free of charge. Ends Media enquiries to: Philip Colley, Harvest Tel: 023 9244 9655/ 07785 306378 EEF EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation is the representative voice of manufacturing in the UK together with ECIA, the Engineering Construction Industry Association and UK Steel. The EEF has a growing membership of almost 6,000 companies of all sizes, employing some 900,000 people from every sector of engineering, manufacturing, engineering construction and technology-based industries. www.eef.org.uk West of England Aerospace Forum The West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF) is a membership business development association that champions and supports the interests of the aerospace, defence and advanced engineering industries in the South West of England. It aims to facilitate an environment where companies can improve their competitiveness and grow their businesses. To this end, WEAF supports national supply chain initiatives, networking and training events, actively encourages skills development and leads key Steering Groups within the industry. It also collaborates with partners like UKTI to provide critical support services such as export and marketing opportunities at major international trade exhibitions, including Farnborough and Paris. www.weaf.co.uk

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