Bright future for business (From Western Telegraph)

Bright future for business

The results of the massive Future Skills Wales audit of the workforce in Wales will be an essential tool for business in future, business leaders claim.

The £1.6 million Future Skills Wales survey, which will quiz 6,000 businesses across the country, is crucial to the economic development of the country.

Early indications suggest employers in west Wales are expected to ask for more customer service and tourism skills from their employees. Anne Lindsay, CBI senior learning and skills policy adviser, said: "Skills are a top priority for business. Firms understand the importance of training and the stimulus it can give to productivity. But to create a better environment for developing business in Wales, training provision needs to reflect workforce needs."

The South-west has more tourism-related businesses than any other region of Wales. To provide these companies with the fully trained workforce they require that people of all ages must be given the opportunity to get the skills that are in demand by employers.

Chris Ebsworth, director of Folly Farm, one of Wales' top tourist attractions based in Begelly, said: "The main skills that I always look for are good communications and the ability to work well in a team. Tourism businesses thrive with adaptable workers that can multitask and learn new skills quickly. "The latest IT training and communication techniques also contribute to the efficiency and success of any tourism business. Using accommodation providers as an example, new on-line booking systems have revolutionised the industry as the increasingly sophisticated tourist demands more from holiday destinations than ever before." Olivia Schofield, head of market intelligence for the National Council - ELWa and co-ordinator of the Future Skills Wales project, said: "The survey will find out what has changed since 1998 and ensure training provision reflects and delivers the skills local businesses need."