1. Dr Rachel Odams, PR Manager Siemens Energy UK
TRS Communications 2014
Dr Rachel Odams, PR Manager Siemens Energy UK

2. Skills are at the top of the national agenda but we still have a problem!
Skills gap – anticipated shortfall of over 1.2 million engineers (Royal Society for Engineering and Engineering UK)
Retiring engineering workforce – gap is widening between leavers and joiners!
Redundancy – ever greater numbers people are finding themselves out of work
New challenges and new types of employees entering the workforce e.g. ex-services personnel, returning workers, more women
Youth unemployment – estimated 1 million young people under the age of 25 are unemployed

3. We have a fantastic tool in TRS that offers a real solution to help address UK skills issues
National in scope
Backed by high profile companies and people
Inclusive and open to any type of employer or employee group
Easy to use
Scaleable – online functionality and scope easy to change to bring in new organisations and people
It works – the results so far have been good for participating employers and candidates
TRS is currently researching usage and results trends to further improve the service  

4. Our challenge is to spread the word further...
We need to bring extend our reach with three key groups:
Employers who can register to be part of TRS for recruitment
Potential employees/candidates
Influencers/partners e.g. Universities, Professional bodies, who provide useful channels for potential employees and for talent development/direction
We can leverage our combined strength and resources as a group of companies and the backing we have from BIS
We can leverage the networks we have already to spread the message further
Partner companies are already promoting TRS in their communications – we want to build on this to create a stronger more optimised common platform

5. A clear campaign approach will help provide focus
Our objectives are to raise awareness and increase uptake of TRS amongst
companies, employees and potential partner organisations
The campaign we are proposing for 2014 is “getting to10,000” consisting of various
tactical elements:
Core messages that can be used in all communications
Supporting collateral – literature, case studies, online
Website re-launch that can be used to extend our network
Kick-off TRS event with high profile endorsement – targeting in the main users of the system, especially employees/candidates to help “tell the TRS story”
Media plan for TRS as a whole but which incorporates partner companies
Social media plan (twitter, facebook, LinkedIn)

6. Next steps
Create a strong Communications group and network from partner and related organisations which includes key recruitment as well as communications contacts
Use a variety of media to communicate achievements, including case studies and campaign updates about the “getting to 10,000” campaign
Develop a full-blown communications plan and calendar for 2014
Secure Steering Group buy-in and support to communications approach

7. Dr Rachel Odams
PR Manager
Siemens Energy UK
Sir Willliams Siemens Square
Frimley
Camberley
GU16 8QD
Mobile: +44 (0)