The Growth Company looks at what skills are in high demand ahead of 2023 and what people can do to learn more, upskill or reskill.
Digital and green skills are amongst the most important and in-demand going into 2023 according to a Greater Manchester training provider.
GC Education and Skills has more than 30 years’ experience in training and education for both school leavers and adult learners.
In a recent survey of their apprentices, 98% feel as though they have progressed in their learning and development since starting their apprenticeship.
A total of 87% believe learning with the Growth Company has given them new or enhanced knowledge and skills and 88% believe they are making progress towards their career aims
Looking ahead to 2023, Jon-Paul Rimington, Managing Director of GC Education and Skills has highlighted which skills are increasingly in high demand and how people can acquire them.
He says: “We listen to what businesses are telling us and respond to their demands by creating courses that will help students and their employers. There’s a real drive for digital skills and understanding how we can better equip people with them to re-enter the modern workplace.
“Businesses are moving with the times and we’re seeing more companies adopt agile working. There’s a lot of work being done to streamline processes and people need to be able to adapt to those requirements. We help people with very basic levels of digital skills as well as programmes that go up to Level 4 in software development and digital marketing.”
The Green Skills Academy will play a critical role in Greater Manchester’s ambitions to reach Net Zero carbon as early as 2038 and UK-wide by 2050. The centre will provide opportunity for those working in skilled trades including electricians, plumbers, roofers, gas engineers, construction workers, heating programmers and technicians.
While based in Greater Manchester, the Academy represents the first institution of its kind to have such provision under one roof and will provide services to businesses nationally where needed.
Rimington says: “Green skills represent a major part of our future. GC Education and Skills will be launching the Green Skills Academy on the 19th of January, supporting the drive to become carbon neutral in GM by 2038.
“A purpose-focused facility, the Green Skills Academy allows us to look at the new technologies that are coming out and how we can train people to install them effectively. We are anticipating a high demand for electric vehicle chargers in the next three to four years so we want to make sure that people are available nationally to become specialists and fit those.”
The Academy will be equipped with technologies that can help prepare today’s workforce for the opportunities and challenges presented by the global transition to a carbon neutral economy, including Accelerating Net Zero Opportunities short.
The Green Skills Academy is open to apprentices, sole traders and micro businesses through to SME and larger organizations to help future proof the workforce in these specialist areas.
GC Education and Skills was listed as one of the Top 50 Training Providers in the country by RateMyApprenticeship in 2022. The education provider also won the Low Carbon Innovator of the Year Award at the National Construction Apprenticeship Awards and Training Company of the Year 2022 at the National Fenestration Awards.
For people that might have been in employment for some time, there is significant potential to continue building on their expertise. The Project Management for All course helps people develop the fundamentals of management.
Rimington says: “A lot of employers are really looking for middle-management level skills. We’ve got courses on project management for non-project managers, we have our Powering Up Professional Skills courses as well.
“We’re looking at the changing dynamics in working practices across the economy and the UK and how we can help ensure people are ready for that.”
Courses can also help people that might need support in taking the very first step into the jobs market. The Functional Skills courses are to support learners who wish to improve their English and maths skills.
Rimington says: “One of the big things is that it can be hardest for those that are furthest from the labour market. Some of the softer skills that are not necessarily accredited are those that can properly help set you up for success.
“We pride ourselves as being seen as an alternative provision to a mainstream college environment. Our sites are smaller in size which can help people that might suffer from anxiety or have concerns about returning to education.”
To find out more about how GC Education and Skills can help your business to address recruitment challenges and diversify its workforce, email business@gceducationandskills.ac.uk or call 0161 233 2656.
For more information about the Growth Company, you can visit https://www.growthco.uk/
