Working on behalf of South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce (the DfE designated employer representative body for the sub-region) and in partnership with IBP Strategy & Research, we engaged with SME employers via telephone and online surveys to identify their skills and recruitment challenges.
A cross-section of industries were consulted, including manufacturing, health and social care, life sciences, and digital sectors, with decarbonisation and digitalisation key areas of focus. Complementing this analysis, five focus groups explored skills demand and supply issues in greater depth.
The study provided conclusions and recommendations for consideration in the LSIP submitted by South Cheshire Chamber to government.