16th May 2007
For immediate release
 
Skills of workforce subject of summit
 
As part of his drive to improve business conditions and employment in the Dearne, local MP John Healey staged an event for around 30 local employers last week.
 
The Dearne Valley Skills Summit gave employers the opportunity to discuss how local people can benefit further from the new job opportunities now available in the area. Employers discussed issues relating to recruitment, skills development, skills provision and skills strategies both now and in the future. Questions put to employers gathered at the event included:

- Have you experienced any difficulties in recruiting employees who have the right levels of skills for the jobs you have on offer?
- Does the current workforce have the skills it needs?, and; 
- Is the government strategy (for skills) correctly focussed? - if not what are the issues for you as Dearne Employers?

Keynote speaker and co-ordinator of the Dearne Valley Employers Forum, John Healey MP, was joined by speakers from Jobcentre Plus and the Learning & Skills Council, who spoke about 'The Local Labour Market' and 'Prioritising Skills and Training'.
 
Speaking at the event John Healey MP, said:
 
"I want people living in the Dearne to succeed both in getting into work and getting on at work."
 
"This event is for you as Dearne employers - to give you a chance to see what's on offer, what needed, and to find out if we can meet your needs and the needs of potential employees better."
 
"The government and MPs want you to succeed, in a rapidly changing economy, we want the Dearne and local residents to succeed, and we want government agencies, policies and our investment of public money to help support you in your efforts."
 
The event was organised by the Dearne Valley Employers Forum and the Learning and Skills Council as part of an on-going series of events for Dearne-based employers. The Forum was set up by John Healey MP to ensure that local employers have a strong voice in securing future economic success for the area. Any business interested in joining should contact Chris Read on chris@johnhealeymp.co.uk
 
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For further information:
Please contact Joanne Wilson, Research Officer to John Healey MP, Tel - (01709) 512463
For information on the Dearne Valley Employers Forum please contact Chris Read, Office of John Healey MP, Tel - (01709) 875546