People Skills scheme funded by JP Morgan and backed by government
The CIPD and JP Morgan have joined forces to launch a scheme providing small businesses with bespoke HR and skills development support.
As part of the People Skills programme, SMEs will be offered one-to-one guidance from experienced HR professionals. Employers will have access to online support and a telephone helpline to discuss employment and skills issues, and will also be invited to local networking and group training events, all available at no cost to the business, the CIPD said.
A year-long pilot, which launched at an event in Hackney last night, has received backing from Anna Soubry MP, minister for small business, industry and enterprise, and former business minister Jo Swinson.
The initiative aims to support SMEs in building their leadership and management/HR capability, as well as encouraging SMEs to invest in young people through work experience and apprenticeships.
According to government figures, there are now a record number of small firms in the UK, about 5.2 million, which is an increase of 760,000 since 2010. And small firms now account for 48 per cent of private sector employment.
Speaking at the event, Swinson said: “Small businesses have the same HR issues as any large company but don’t have the luxury of having a dedicated HR department.
"Productivity is one of the biggest challenges facing the UK economy, and improving the quality of management is part of the solution.
“Helping small businesses invest in and develop the skills of their workforces is crucial for their growth and future success,” she added.
Peter Cheese, CIPD chief executive, said promoting good people and skills was an “essential” part of helping small businesses succeed.
“The puzzle of the UK’s stagnant productivity performance has many components, but one crucial aspect that needs to be examined is how to help the UK’s small businesses raise their ambitions, boost their investment in people and make better use of skills in the workplace,” he said.
“Our People Skills programme is designed to help address this challenge, providing support where it’s needed to boost people management capability and ultimately performance and growth potential.”
Swinson said both the government and businesses had a role to play in helping employers, and SMEs in particular, achieve this aim.
“The government needs to recognise the range of management skills needed across UK business and then facilitate the change and implementation of support,” she said.
She added: “Businesses have two roles: to use the support and networks available to learn and develop best practice and to connect with schools, colleges and educational institutes to find and develop talent of the future.”
The pilot scheme, aimed at businesses employing between five and 50 staff, is being evaluated by experts from Manchester Metropolitan University, to determine the best way to move it forward.
Two further People Skills pilots will be launched over the summer, in Stoke-on-Trent and Glasgow.