TALENT ROADSHOW ROLLS INTO SOMERSET

A roadshow for employers focused on ensuring that high level engineering and technical skills are retained in the south west rolls into Somerset on April 27. The Talent Retention Scheme event, at the Yeovil Innovation Centre, will provide information and support for companies either seeking to recruit skilled engineers and technical staff or considering restructuring. The Scheme, backed by the South West RDA, is designed to match appropriately skilled individuals either out of work or at risk of redundancy with vacancies in companies operating in industry sectors key to the regional economy. By pooling this talent and making it available via a searchable database, the scheme aims to help growing companies to bridge any skills gaps that currently exist – thereby preventing a ‘skills flight’ that might otherwise occur. “Current trading conditions remain volatile, which means that while some companies are embarking on redundancy programmes, others are struggling to find and recruit appropriately skilled people,” says Pauline Kelly, Project Administrator based at the West of England Aerospace Forum. “The Talent Retention Scheme brings all these elements together by supporting companies through the restructuring process and then trying to match those technical people at risk of unemployment with businesses that are recruiting.” The roadshow will outline the services available to employers – all of which are free of charge – and will also provide an opportunity for in-depth discussions. Malcolm Pemble, Head of Operations in the South West for EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, said that retaining engineering and technical skills was vital to the future prosperity of the region. “We know that innovation and knowledge will be major drivers in the economy going forward – particularly in areas such as low carbon technology – and consequently it is vital that we nurture our base of talented engineers. This scheme will help us to do just that – and I would urge employers to get involved.” The Talent Retention Scheme is open to companies in advanced engineering sectors such as aerospace and defence, automotive, marine, machining, medical, manufacturing industries or original equipment manufacture. Companies wishing to attend the roadshow at the Yeovil Innovation Centre (Copse Road) on April 27 (8.30am -11.30am) should register by calling 01275 878231. Individuals interested in finding out more should go to www.talentsouthwest.org.uk Ends Media enquiries to: Philip Colley, Harvest Tel: 07785 306378/ 023 9244 9655/ philip.colley@harvestpr.co.uk Notes: South West RDA The South West RDA leads the development of a sustainable economy, investing to unlock the region's business potential. It is helping companies respond to the economic crisis and chart a course for recovery. The South West RDA has approved a £1.7m investment in the Talent Retention program, to ensure that highly skilled experts are not lost from industries that are of great economic importance to the region. EEF EEF is the manufacturers’ organisation. Around a quarter of the UK’s manufacturing businesses are EEF members and many more use our services to help them work better, compete harder and innovate faster. Because we understand manufacturers so well, policy makers trust our advice and welcome our involvement in their deliberations. We work with them to create policies that are in the best interests of manufacturing that encourage a high growth industry and boost its ability to make a positive contribution to the UK’s real economy. 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. Our aim is to facilitate an environment where companies can improve their competitiveness and grow their businesses. To this end, we support national supply chain initiatives, networking and training events actively encourage skills development and lead key Steering Groups within the industry. We also collaborate 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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