Continuing to support businesses looking to invest in developing their people’s skills will be crucial to building a sustainable economy, a Lancashire business leader has said.
Linzi Monks, of Preston’s College, said an increase in positivity among firms looking to recruit as the economy gets back on its feet after the COVID-19 pandemic was being met with a desire to invest in training.
Last week, the British Chambers of Commerce called on the Government not to take the “scaffolding” of financial support offered to business during lockdown away too soon.
Preston’s College is sponsoring the Employer of the Year category at this year’s Be Inspired Business Awards, The BIBAs, which is currently interviewing businesses for its 19 prize categories.
Louise Doswell, Principal & Chief Executive of the college said “It has been a very difficult 18 months for businesses, and there remain challenges for many, but it has been refreshing to see the commitment shown by employers as they continue to develop their workforces.
“We know that people are the most crucial ingredient for any successful business and we have to do everything we can to continue to encourage firms to invest in their people. We can always do more to make it easier for businesses to develop skills, and their ability to do so will be crucial as we look to come out of the pandemic.”
The BIBAs judges are in the middle of conducting interviews which will see them select finalists and the winner of each of the prize categories.
Due to the restrictions in place as a result of the pandemic, all interviews are being held virtually using videoconferencing to ensure the safety of applicants and judges.
In previous years, the awards has sent its judges on tour to visit businesses across Lancashire in their premises.
The BIBAs’ prize-giving ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Blackpool Tower on Friday, September 17.
However, the organisers also have a contingency date of Friday, November 26 in the event restrictions in place around the COVID-19 pandemic do not allow the ceremony to take place in September.