Somerset Chamber of Commerce is backing calls for a more joined-up approach to skills and workforce development, with support for young people entering employment needing to go hand in hand with opportunities for adults to upskill and retrain throughout their careers.
The call comes as the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) publishes a new report, From Classroom to Career: Delivering Growth Through Lifelong Learning, highlighting the need for a more joined-up approach to careers, skills and employment support. 
The report warns that investment in young people and adult skills should not be viewed as competing priorities, particularly as advances in artificial intelligence continue to reshape the workplace.
Recent BCC research, based on responses from more than 850 businesses across the UK, found that 58% are experiencing skills shortages, while 67% said improved access to skilled employees would help their business grow.
Somerset Chamber of Commerce, which leads the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) for Somerset, said the findings mirrored many of the concerns raised by employers across the county.
David Crew, Managing Director of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, said: “The findings of this report strongly reflect what we hear from employers across Somerset through our Local Skills Improvement Plan work. Businesses are telling us they need access to skilled people in order to grow, but they are also increasingly concerned about future workforce pipelines.
“At the same time, our recent work with Somerset Council looking at young people who are not in education, employment or training highlighted that there is no single solution. Young people face a range of different barriers and need clearer pathways into work, training and further education.
“That is why we welcome the focus on creating a more joined-up skills system. Supporting young people into employment is vital, but we also need to ensure people can continue developing and updating their skills throughout their working lives.”
The BCC report welcomes several recent Government initiatives, including the Youth Guarantee, updated Local Skills Improvement Plans and proposals to strengthen the role of schools in preparing young people for employment.
It also calls for further action, including reducing the cost of employing young people, improving flexibility within the skills system, strengthening employer engagement in education and providing greater clarity around the Lifelong Learning Entitlement ahead of its introduction in January 2027.
Mr Crew added: “Somerset employers want a skills system that is simpler, more responsive and easier to engage with. Through the LSIP we have seen the value of employers helping to shape skills provision so that training better reflects local labour market needs.
“As technology continues to evolve and people work for longer, lifelong learning will become increasingly important. We need a system that supports people at every stage of their careers, whether they are leaving school, changing industries or retraining later in life.
“If we can better connect careers advice, skills development and employment opportunities, we will be in a much stronger position to address skills shortages, improve productivity and create opportunities for more people across Somerset.”
The BCC report concludes that the UK needs a clearer and more coherent skills system that better connects careers guidance, skills development and employment support throughout people’s lives, helping individuals, businesses and local economies to thrive.
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