Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

Three in four employers are experiencing recruitment difficulties, changes to immigration policies following Brexit have presented further barriers, and the evident skills shortage seen across sectors is forcing companies to look at different ways to fill the skills gap. Whilst training and up-skilling existing employees is an obvious and effective solution, it can only go some of the way, and more practical solutions need to be identified and implemented.

Six months after its introduction, businesses remain in the dark about how best to utilise the Apprenticeship Levy, according to a survey released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in conjunction with Middlesex University London.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today publishes its Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and most authoritative private sector business survey. 

The University of Bedfordshire, Careers & Employability Service now have a dedicated placements team in recognition of the fact that work placements offer an unrivalled learning experience for students and an opportunity for employers to establish a tried and tested talent pipeline of the most ambitious undergraduates.

Wyboston Lakes has achieved 35th position in this year’s The Sunday Times ‘Best Companies to work for’ List. This is the second year that Wyboston Lakes has ranked in the top 100, this year moving from 69th to 35th place.

• The balances for businesses that tried to recruit staff were at an all-time high in Q4
• John Longworth says that businesses are well placed to grow in 2015, but their optimism may not last if ‘political point scoring’ outweighs sound economic policies during the election campaign

FREE language courses at the University of Bedfordshire are now available to Luton businesses looking to expand into international markets.

Commenting on the Richard Review on apprenticeships, Cheryl Smart MBE, Chief Executive of Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce said:

Over the past couple of months Central Bedfordshire College has built up a strong relationship with Morrisons PLC and the Job Centre Plus.  This has resulted in a worthwhile initiative to train and recruit local people to the new Morrisons store which will open shortly in Houghton Regis.