Recruit, retain and upskill
There has never been a more important time to support Glasgow’s businesses in attracting, retaining and developing their workforce.
That’s the expert view of Jim McHarg, Human Resources Director at Babcock, and past President of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, who took over as co-chair of the Glasgow Employment and Skills Board (GESB), alongside Alison McRae, Senior Director of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, in early 2022.
“I was delighted to be appointed co-chair of GESB last year as we emerged from the pandemic and faced various employment challenges.”
He pays tribute to the organisations now tackling the battle to recruit, retain and upskill the tens of thousands needed to make Glasgow a greener and more sustainable place to live and work.
“The range of knowledge and experience that we have across over 30 board members, and the partnerships across the city, has shaped our responses to localised projects and national policies at a time when it has never been more important to support businesses to attract, retain and develop their workforce,” he says.
It is a view echoed by his co-chair, Alison McRae, who says: “It is an exciting time for the board. We have widened our remit to focus attention on skills challenges across all ages supporting upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning in current and emerging sectors.
“We’ve been delighted to make new appointments in the past year who bring different perspectives and have helped to create creative and practical solutions in response to challenges and opportunities across the city around the employment and skills agenda.”
Previously known as Glasgow Employer Board, the GESB became a formal ‘membership group’ offered by Glasgow Chamber in 2012, having previously been supported by the Department of Work and Pensions through the National Employment Panel and then later through Working Ventures UK. In 2018, Glasgow Chamber established a series of new directors’ policy forums, with the GESB becoming the forum reflecting the views of employers on employment and skills.
“The GESB has played a leading role in the establishment of Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) and is continuously representing our members in national skills and employment consultations and initiatives,” says Alison.
Jim also has the role of the chair of the chairs for DYW’s Glasgow City Region collaborative efforts.
Jim and Alison are supported by Gayle Shepherd, Director of People and Technology at the Scottish Event Campus, who is Deputy Chair, and also chair of the working group focusing on making recruitment of young talent easier for businesses.
The increasing importance of skills in delivering economic growth has led to an expansion of representation from the likes of Lindsays, Bellrock Technology, The Alternative Board, ACS Clothing, Glasgow Life, Scottish Qualifications Authority, A.C. Whyte, Barclays and Barrhead Travel. They have joined existing members from Arnold Clark, BAE Systems, Babcock, City of Glasgow College, DSL Business Finance, C&C Group, the Glasgow Science Centre, Marriott Hotels, ScottishPower, Scottish Water, the Scottish Event Campus, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, The Prince and Princes of Wales Hospice, Accenture, University of Glasgow and Novotel.
“Throughout 2022 the board contributed to local employability initiatives including the city’s approach to work experience, a youth ambassador network and recruitment of apprentices,” says Alison.
It has also had a central role in national consultations, welcoming Scotland’s Permanent Secretary, John-Paul Marks, to a round-table meeting last year, and face-to-face engagement with James Russell, Director, Operations, Skills Development Scotland for the Career Review, and James Withers, adviser to the Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape, and Professor Louise Hayward undertaking the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment.
The board has developed strategic initiatives aligned to challenges in sourcing, recruiting, and retaining talent facing many businesses in the region. This includes:
Supporting the skills shortage
Skill the Gap, a one-day event at City of Glasgow College, was delivered in March 2023 to provide information on ways to upskill and reskill staff, in addition to hearing how other businesses were innovating to address the current skills shortage.
Supporting the recruitment of young people
The board has been developing a solution for businesses to support the recruitment of young people into their team. Funded by Glasgow City Council, this working group, led by Gayle Shepherd, is designing a method for engaging with young people that links with education and achievement to make it easy for employers to access the talent they require.
Supporting diversity and inclusion
A new working group, led by Evelyn Walker, Founder and Director of People and HR Transformation, at Walker Gordon Associates, is examining how businesses approach diversity and inclusion in their attraction and recruitment strategies.
“As the chairperson of our diversity and inclusion working group, we have the passion, dedication and the influential platform to make a real difference. We are actively working to create a sustainable educational and working environment, where everyone feels that they can be safe and supported in order to continually learn, grow and thrive,” says Evelyn.
Recruitment and skills support for members
Glasgow Chamber offers a range of support for businesses who are recruiting for their organisation or seeking options for training.
These include:
Paid work placements
Glasgow Chamber is part of a consortium contract, awarded by Glasgow City Council, to offer six-month paid work placements to participants, of all ages, to engage in roles with employers across the city.
For further information, contact: chamber.recruit@glasgowchamberofcommerce.com
Developing the Young Workforce (DYW)
The DYW Team continues to offer employers the opportunity to engage with the next generation of the workforce. In addition to the current Climate Heroes and Digital Critical Friends projects, the team will shortly be launching an exciting new project with FARE Scotland.
“At my first meeting of the board I was impressed by the range of employers involved in the group. The other thing that struck me was the passion people had and their willingness to get involved and support the wide range of activities the GESB is involved in.” Derek Houston, Regional Manager Glasgow, SQA
“The diversity of experience and skills around the board is very impressive. As someone who specialises in supporting SME businesses, I have found this extremely helpful. The board has the power to make ‘stuff’ happen which is very encouraging and exciting.” Campbell Ure, Owner, The Alternative Board (UK)
“Members are committed to tackling the challenges that all employers face and provide tangible actions for city. Great things can be achieved when we truly collaborate and the GESB has proven to be the forum where this can happen.” Ashleigh McCulloch, Creative Director, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce
“Glasgow DYW continues to engage with all stakeholders across Glasgow city region. More young people in Glasgow are leaving school with a positive destination. Our role is to support parents, guardians and schools to ensure that every young person leaving school in the future can be confident that they have the same.” Marcella Boyle, Executive Regional Director, DYW Glasgow
