The MD of online training provider click2 learn has said that business bosses can help bridge the UK Skills Gap by empowering their employees with Continuous Improvement skills.

Dan Briscoe, MD of click2 learn who has taught Lean Methodology and improvement skills to hundreds of businesses over his career to implement change, believes that upskilling a workforce with Continuous Improvement can be one of the answers to the UK’s workforce which is currently facing challenges.

There is currently a significant skills gap in the UK that could impact an estimated 20% of workers – 6.5 million people by 2030. Factors such as increased digitalisation, Brexit, and the impact of Covid-19 having contributed.

The skills gap in the UK is the mismatch between the skills and qualifications that workers possess and the skills required by employers to fill a specific job role. Research has shown that industries like manufacturing, software, business and finance, and engineering are particularly affected.

However, Mr Briscoe said that the impact of the skills gap could be lessened if organisations looked inwards at their current workforce and started to build capability from within. as this would help to retain existing people and develop potential talent that already exists all over the UK.

He said: “It really is important for UK businesses  to  understand and address  the skills they need versus the skills they have within their current people  as this can prove to be a cost-effective way and a big alternative to recruitment.

In 2022 the Department for Education brought out statutory guidance for Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIP) which sets out the role employers, providers, local government and other stakeholders can play in developing, approving and implementing a plan and supporting the delivery. These plans have started to be published regionally and shows the funding now available to deliver its aims, and it couldn’t come soon enough.”

A funding pot of £165 million has been allocated to transform local skills in regions and help more people into jobs.

Each region has set out its own plan, such as the West Midlands and Warwickshire Local Skills Improvement Plan and South Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan who are focusing on local opportunities to improve the outcome for their economy.

Mr Briscoe added: “The skills gap poses multiple challenges for businesses, including poor work quality, high employee turnover, reduced productivity, and limited growth opportunities. Courses such as ours which can be done online and are designed to fit around busy work schedules enabling employees to learn in the flow of work whilst applying their new skills to real-world business challenges.

“We believe that employers who can offer a flexible and practical approach to upskilling their people, will have a distinct advantage in tackling the skills gap.

By creating a culture of learning and continuous improvement within an organisation, businesses of all sizes can unlock the full potential of their employees and overcome the challenges posed by the lack of skilled workers.  Businesses who invest in their people typically see growth, improved productivity, and long-term success for not only the business, but for their people. As result employees are more likely to be motivated and stay with the business.

“At click2 learn, we are committed to addressing the UK skills gap and we are working with local government agencies and regional growth hubs around the UK to help them provide essential skills needed to bridge their local skills gaps,” added Mr. Briscoe

For more details about the Government’s Local Skills Improvement Plan, visit this link.