Employers in Lincolnshire and Rutland are being urged to come forward to form a new Employment and Skills Board.

The employer-led Employment and Skills Board will give strategic direction and inform the investment of public sector funding to increase the level of skills and employability of people in Lincolnshire and Rutland.

The public sector invests in the region of £100M per year in the skills agenda, and in the current economic climate it is particularly important to ensure not only that the priorities for investment are right, but also that employers continue to take up the opportunities to develop the skills of their workforce to meet the challenges they face.

The new board will take into account changing business skills’ priorities and proactively address these in evolving strategies and policies. It will ensure that the existing and future needs of the Lincolnshire and Rutland employers are clearly identified so the right training and skills are easily accessed to maximise the potential of individuals and the competitiveness of businesses.

Nick Rashley, Area Director of the Lincolnshire and Rutland Learning and Skills Council, said: “We are looking for 15 Board members to take on the challenge of developing, and ensuring the delivery of an integrated employment and skills strategy for Lincolnshire and Rutland. This has to be good news for individuals of all ages, as well as for our companies.”

Andrew Thurston, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Enterprise, said: “The formation of an Employment and Skills Board will provide local employers with an exciting opportunity to get involved in shaping the future prosperity of Lincolnshire and Rutland. Who is better placed than employers in the private, public and third sectors to give advice on the specific skills needed within the workforce?”

Proposed membership includes representatives from businesses, local authorities, public sector employment and skills agencies and the voluntary sector.                                                 

The Board will conform to the requirements of the Commission for Employment & Skills (CES) and will reflect the philosophy and structural proposals of the Leitch Report.

Anyone wishing to be considered for Board membership should contact Marie Kaempfe-Rice at the Learning & Skills Council on 01522 508 500 or email Marie.Kaempfe-Rice@lsc.gov.uk for an application form and information pack. Closing date for applications is 21 November 2008.