Each English region is producing a framework to connect agencies, matching people to jobs and skills provision to needs. The Framework for Employment and Skills Action (FRESA) will bring together a core group of local agencies such as the local Learning and Skills Councils and the Employment Service. As well as improving links between employers and potential employees, this aims to ensure that regional labour market and skills information is shared and acted upon.
Adult skills minister John Healey said: "We work the longest hours in Europe, yet our productivity continues to lag behind that of Germany and France. There is no reason why this should be the case. We have the pieces of the jobs and skills jigsaw. The new frameworks will pull these together region by region. We have regional labour market intelligence that gives us an up-to-date picture of employment trends, as well showing which skills gaps need plugging; through the LSC, the Government is investing £1.5 billion this year in workforce training and skills; RDAs are working to increase investment and the range of jobs open to people; and the Employment Service is helping more unemployed people find jobs - particularly people such as lone parents who find it harder to get back into work."
"We need to put the pieces of the jigsaw together. It isn’t about working harder. It’s about working smarter – and that means working together and sharing the knowledge and good practice that’s already out there. This framework brings together local agencies to agree priorities and deliver plans to tackle them."
Lord Terry Thomas, Chair of the RDA Chairmen, said: "This framework is a vital tool in ensuring a seamless service for people to gain the skills they need for the jobs that are available, for employers to find the right people for the jobs they have on offer, and for the general up-skilling of the regions."
Each region will now draw up its own Framework working with a proposed core membership including the Regional Development Agency, the Local Learning & Skills Council, the Employment Service, Local Authorities, the TUC, the Government Office and the CBI. Each will have the opportunity to extend the group to others in the region.
The English RDAs and a number of key agencies have worked with three departments – the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for Education and Skills to produce guidance for developing the Framework for Employment and Skills Action (FRESA). The English RDAs have led the high-level Inter Agency Working Group to develop the guidance and a model Framework for use within each region. The Guidance has been developed by an Inter-Agency Working Group, comprising representatives from: the English Regional Development Agencies, the Learning & Skills Council, the Employment Service, the Government Office for the South East, CBI, TUC, DWP, DTI and DfES.
Key findings from the Employers Skill Survey 2001 included:
- A quarter of all vacancies in the Eastern region were hard-to-fill for skill-related reasons.
- The South West region reported 22,115 skill shortage vacancies. 28% of all vacancies were hard-to-fill for skill related reasons.
- There were 32,000 skill shortage vacancies in the South East. This region saw its share of skill shortage vacancies increase between 1999 and 2001 to 26%.
- There were 14,000 skill shortage vacancies reported in the West Midlands region. This region also increased its share of skill shortage vacancies from 1999.
- 98,000 employees were estimated to be not fully proficient at their current job in the North West region, representing 3.7% of all employees in the region.
- 62,000 employees were estimated to be not fully proficient at their current job in the Yorkshire and Humberside region, representing 3.2% of all employees in the region.
- 66,000 employees were estimated to be not fully proficient at their current job in the in the East Midlands region, representing 4.1% of all employees in the region.
- 37,000 employees were estimated to be not fully proficient at their current job in the in the North East region, representing 4% of all employees in the region.
