Upskilling: the key to fighting UK business uncertainty, skills gaps and productivity lags

by Jan 8, 2019Alumni news

It’s safe to say that UK businesses are facing a period of unprecedented change and challenges and it doesn’t look like it’s going to let up any time soon. Despite rising slightly in 2018, our productivity still lags behind our European neighbours and two years of preparing for Brexit has also cast a shadow.

Recent City & Guilds Group research – People Power – found that nine out of ten UK employers are struggling to recruit the skilled staff they need, and two thirds think that skills gaps are likely to get worse or remain the same in the next three to five years.

The solution though is in our own hands and we need to turn our attention inwards and start with our existing workforce. And that means now, more than ever, employers need to be upskilling their employees, investing in skills development and training programmes and driving tangible benefits of their businesses.

Read the full article on the HR Director website:  https://www.thehrdirector.com/features/skills-shortage/upskilling-skills-gaps909/

Other news stories

Case study: providing a state of the art, hands-on training approach at Openreach

This digital network business built a state of the art, replica street so that trainee engineers could really put their learning into practice. Two years ago Openreach decided that it needed to make a significant strategic change to its entire training approach in...

46 businesses across the UK recognised by HRH The Princess Royal for excellence in training and development in 2021

HRH The Princess Royal, President of City & Guilds, awards employers who have created outstanding training and skills development programmes which have resulted in measurable business impact over the last 12 months Recipients include those that have...

Case study: The Dean Hotel Group and Fifty Shades Greener, our first recipients from Ireland

In this video hear about Princess Royal Training Award recipients The Dean Hotel and Fifty Shades Greener, our first recipients from Ireland.

In the press: Outstanding staff development at Welsh colleges honoured with Princess Royal award

Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion have received a royal commendation for their innovative approach to staff development and training with a Princess Royal Training Award. The award is presented to institutions and companies that implement outstanding training and...

New for 2018: hands-on workshops announced to help with your application

Due to popular demand we are running a number of workshops to offer practical help and support to anyone thinking of applying for a Princess Royal Training Award in 2018. You will have the opportunity to get ideas and support on how best to apply and we...

In the press: Project supporting North Walinan people in recovery from substance abuse and mental illness scoops major award

A PEER MENTORING and employment project for North Walian people in recovery from substance abuse and mental health conditions has won a major award. Cyfle Cymru – which is led by rehab charity CAIS – became one of only a handful of Welsh organisations to receive a...

Case study: home-growing future managers through exceptional training opportunities at Red Carnation Hotels

This collection of family-run hotels achieved an Award in 2017 and went on to gain a revalidation in 2020. Since then it has further developed its Graduate Management programme with 53 participants commencing the training in the 3 years following, leading to the...

City & Guilds Group hosts Alumni pop-up conference on leading with purpose

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5vGl2mfi2I The City & Guilds Group recently invited Princess Royal Training Awards recipients past and present to attend a pop-up conference in East London. Attendees gathered ahead of the awards ceremony to share best practice in...

Celebrating community radio champions who are investing in skills, inclusion and opportunity

Across the UK, community radio stations play an extraordinary role — not just in broadcasting, but in transforming lives. On World Radio Day we wanted to spotlight four of the outstanding radio stations that have been recognised through our Princess Royal Training...

A decade of excellence and a room full of inspiration – Princess Royal Training Awards Skills Share 2025

On 30 April 2025, City & Guilds hosted its second-ever Skills Share event – this time at the stunning Goldsmiths’ Hall in London – marking a major milestone: 10 years of the Princess Royal Training Awards. With over 130 Award recipients in attendance, the event was not just a celebration but a forum for shared learning, inspiration and reflection on what a decade of investment in skills development really means.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How Liberty Kitchen is using skills to unlock potential and productivity

When Liberty Kitchen received a Princess Royal Training Awards in 2025, the recognition went beyond a training initiative. It provided a powerful example of how opening access to skills can support rehabilitation and create wider benefits for individuals, communities...

Celebrating community radio champions who are investing in skills, inclusion and opportunity

Across the UK, community radio stations play an extraordinary role — not just in broadcasting, but in transforming lives. On World Radio Day we wanted to spotlight four of the outstanding radio stations that have been recognised through our Princess Royal Training...

A decade of excellence: Royal recognition for UK and Irish organisations honoured at the Princess Royal Training Awards

The Princess Royal Training Awards are the UK and Ireland’s premier awards programme for recognising training excellence. On Tuesday 2 December, in an awards ceremony at Fishmongers Hall, the City & Guilds Foundation had the honour of recognising 56 outstanding...

HRH The Princess Royal celebrates best-in-class workplace training in 10th anniversary year for Awards

HRH The Princess Royal, President of the City and Guilds of London Institute, awards employers for outstanding training and skills development programmes which have positively impacted organisations, people and wider society. 15 August 2025: City & Guilds has...

HRH The Princess Royal discusses the importance of creating aspirations for young people

n this video series, Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Chief Executive of City & Guilds, talks with our president HRH The Princess Royal about the importance of skills on society, about the role we play as an organisation and about the Awards that we created in her name – The Princess Royal Training Awards – which are celebrating their tenth anniversary.

HRH The Princess Royal discusses the diverse range of Princess Royal Training Award organisations

In this video series, Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Chief Executive of City & Guilds, talks with our president HRH The Princess Royal about the importance of skills on society, about the role we play as an organisation and about the Awards that we created in her name – The Princess Royal Training Awards – which are celebrating their tenth anniversary.

HRH The Princess Royal discusses the value of City & Guilds to society

In this video series, Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Chief Executive of City & Guilds, talks with our president HRH The Princess Royal about the importance of skills on society, about the role we play as an organisation and about the Awards that we created in her name – The Princess Royal Training Awards – which are celebrating their tenth anniversary.

HRH The Princess Royal discusses the changing world of skills

In this video series, Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Chief Executive of City & Guilds, talks with our president HRH The Princess Royal about the importance of skills on society, about the role we play as an organisation and about the Awards that we created in her name – The Princess Royal Training Awards – which are celebrating their tenth anniversary.

A decade of excellence and a room full of inspiration – Princess Royal Training Awards Skills Share 2025

On 30 April 2025, City & Guilds hosted its second-ever Skills Share event – this time at the stunning Goldsmiths’ Hall in London – marking a major milestone: 10 years of the Princess Royal Training Awards. With over 130 Award recipients in attendance, the event was not just a celebration but a forum for shared learning, inspiration and reflection on what a decade of investment in skills development really means.

Ten Years of the Princess Royal Training Awards

In the tenth year of the Princess Royal Training Awards we take a look back at some of the recipients including Balfour Beatty, Fifty Shades Greener and Pret A Manger to find out what achieving the standard means to them and their organisations.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This