
Retaining and Upskilling Your Workforce
It is forecast that by 2030, five million workers could become acutely under-skilled in basic digital skills
Local employers are reporting widespread skill shortages in sectors such as digital, manufacturing, engineering, construction and health care.
Around two-thirds of our employers are experiencing significant gaps in the transferable skills of their staff including communication and problem solving as well as leadership and management skills.
All these skills shortages can negatively impact on business performance and growth. However, over a third of local employers also acknowledge that they under-invest in training. Across York & North Yorkshire we have projects that can support your business to assess your training needs and get support to invest in your workforce and assist with retaining valuable employees.
Why should you invest in your workforce?
Strong leadership and management is vital in generating good workplaces that make staff feel supported and valued.
Training leaders and managers can result in improved communication, goal setting, teamwork and collaboration as well as happier and more productive teams and customers.
You can save money by increasing the abilities of your current employees, instead of spending time and budget on employing new workers.
It helps your business stay more competitive by covering all skills needs.
What are you interested in?



Workforce skills.
A variety of learning and development opportunities for all aspects of your workforce needs; whether looking at your business processes around HR and strategic planning, thinking about moving into international markets, or developing your employees and colleagues with their transferrable, digital or sales skills.
For more information, click here.
National programmes.
There are a selection of nationwide programmes that offer alternative pathways to upskill and reskill your teams. Businesses can receive grants to take on employees under certain schemes, such as Apprenticeships, Bootcamps, Traineeships and T Levels.
For more information, click here.
Leadership and management.
Transform your business with leadership training that focuses on inclusivity. Create positive workplace cultures with shared values that offer opportunities for employees to grow. Practical training on HR processes can help embed systems and processes that support your team and increase their capacity and productivity. Bespoke business consultancy can provide a broad range of solutions to your skills and training challenges.
Click here for more information on our full and part funded projects.
Want to know more?
On the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s (CIPD) website, you can find their People Skills Hub, which includes employer resources for people management, HR, and support for leaders and managers.
If what you need isn’t covered by the categories above, just get in touch and we’ll connect you to the expertise and resources you need.
Articles
Talking Net Zero: Why does the accuracy of words matter to your business?
Do you understand the key climate change terms every business should know? Get to grips with net zero terminology and learn how you can use it to your advantage with our free resources.
Connecting businesses to support in Harrogate
Businesses in Harrogate have welcomed free drop-in days which are connecting them to support and friendly, local business advice specialists.
Successful female entrepreneurs prepare to pitch on International Women's Day
Six entrepreneurs, two angel investors, two chances to win up to £1000. That's the equation facing our successfully selected female founders on Wednesday 8th March at York Marriot Hotel.
Events
28th April 20239:00 am - 10:00 amFREE
28 Apr - How to make your Social Enterprise survive risks: the art of Horizon Scanning
Join Professor Jeff Gold online to find out why Horizon Scanning is an important tool to master for your Social Enterprise, and how it can improve your resilience and prepare you for future changes.
22nd May 20233:30 pm - 5:30 pmFREE
22 May - Social & private partnership development networking
This networking event will bring together private and social organisations so they can find out more about each organisation's needs and work together to solve some of our social and economic issues.
18th April 20239:00 am - 5:00 pmFREE
18 Apr - Harrogate Co-Lab: Business Support Drop-In Session
This free drop-in service based in Harrogate can help answer your questions and direct you to relevant business support, resources and programmes.
Resources
Glossary of Climate Change Terms for Businesses
A free digital glossary defining the key climate change terms relevant to businesses, to help you understand and engage with sustainability resources and support.
2022 Seminar Recordings
We have recently hosted a programme of in-person seminars and other events, some of which were professionally recorded and can now be viewed on our website.
Seminar Recording : Access to finance: Funding growth
This workshop will provide guidance on cost based pricing, calculating your costs before deciding an appropriate margin, as well as covering market based pricing asking questions such as: What value do you add? What are you worth? How do you position yourself?