1. SWESA Research Forum 27 March 2006 Zoe Rattenbury Workforce Development

2. SWESA Research Forum 27 March 2006 WFD project aims Set up a regional WFD network Conduct more comprehensive research Develop a draft regional strategy for WFD in the VCS for consultation Develop a regional curriculum for training Develop a signposting service

3. SWESA Research Forum 27 March 2006 Draft Regional Strategy Currently in development Will be launched 27 April 2006 Issues from: Consultation at events Mapping exercises Plymouth research

4. SWESA Research Forum 27 March 2006 Commissioned research Tendering exercise Sept 2005 on research to identify skills gaps and skills shortages in the VCS. Social Research & Regeneration Unit of the University of Plymouth selected. 320 telephone interviews, 18 detailed site visits + desk research. Reported March 2006.

5. SWESA Research Forum 27 March 2006 Skills shortages / gaps SW Skills gaps similar to national data. Little variation between SW counties except a higher incidence in Wiltshire. 61.2% of surveyed organisations reported skills gaps, mainly in SMEs. Training courses seen as the main solution to future needs / skills gaps.

6. SWESA Research Forum 27 March 2006 Skills shortages / gaps Main reported skills gaps are: Strategic planning Organisational management Leadership Team working ICT + Specialist skills relevant to organisational activity.

7. SWESA Research Forum 27 March 2006 Skills shortages / gaps Main areas of organisational activity with highest incidence of skills gaps are: Education and training Health and disability Provision of advice, support & counselling Housing and accommodation

8. SWESA Research Forum 27 March 2006 Recruitment / retention Difficulties recruiting skilled staff but SW retention rate better than UK data. More problems retaining trustees than volunteers & paid staff. Pay and work conditions main reasons for difficulties recruiting paid staff.

9. SWESA Research Forum 27 March 2006 Training Carried out by a mixture of in-house / external provision. Wide variety of providers but colleges used by most organisations. Training seen as priority. But less than half organisations have training budgets for staff and none for volunteers / trustees.

10. SWESA Research Forum 27 March 2006 Barriers to training Main barriers include: Funding problems Difficulties in covering for staff released for training Difficulties locating appropriate / convenient courses Difficulties meeting specific needs of specialist organisations

11. SWESA Research Forum 27 March 2006 Issues Emphasis on training to meet funders / inspectors needs rather than organisational priorities / staff development. Some negative views on training. Lack of recognition of wider “learning” role or context. Lack of local/regional collaboration on in-house provision.

12. SWESA Research Forum 27 March 2006 Regional priorities Address skills gaps (initially top 5). Address skills needs of trustees. Open up learning opportunities. Develop a Framework for on-going assessment and development. Share learning resources. Promote strategic liaison and sustainable funding.