This is an update on the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce’s work on the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).
The Health & Social Care Skills Challenges
This month, we are focusing on the health and social care sector, a vital industry currently under significant pressure. Across the UK, the NHS is struggling with more than 100,000 vacancies, and forecasts predict a shortfall of over 360,000 staff by 2036/37. Adult social care is facing similar challenges, with more than 130,000 vacancies recorded in 2023/24 alone. These shortages are driven not only by the growing demand for services but also by the difficulties staff encounter in accessing training, career development, and clear pathways into the sector.
At the same time, awareness among young people of careers in health and social care remains limited. Despite there being over 350 different career pathways, many young people do not consider the sector as a long-term career option. Research highlights several barriers: restricted awareness of roles, inconsistent access to high-quality work experience, and a lack of tailored careers advice that would help them better understand the opportunities available.
This is why collaboration with employers is critical. By engaging with us and sharing the challenges you face, you are directly influencing change. The insights you provide will form part of our report, which is submitted to the Department for Education. Your input helps to shape future policy and support initiatives that can address staff shortages and improve training access. In other words, by meeting with us, you are helping to build a stronger, more resilient workforce for the future.
Updates on Employer Meetings
Over the past weeks, we have met with businesses across a variety of sectors, from family mediation services to cyber security for defence and the nuclear sector. These discussions have been invaluable in giving us a clearer picture of both the challenges employers face and also the innovative approaches they are implementing to support workforce development. Recent highlights include meetings with Pathways Family Mediation and Atheniem Ltd, as well as a site visit to Curtiss-Wright, where we gained insight into the company’s advanced engineering and manufacturing processes, their accredited training programmes, and their focus on creating a happy and healthy workplace
Together, we can make a real difference. Get in touch today to be part of the change.
Contact us at: AnneMarieD@hwchamber.co.uk | LaurenA@hwchamber.co.uk
