Here at Surrey Chambers, we are delighted to be launching, in partnership with Surrey Heath Borough Council, the Surrey Manufacturing and Engineering Network – a dynamic initiative aimed at fostering collaboration and growth within the manufacturing and engineering sector in Surrey.
Our mission is to facilitate shared learning, create supply chain opportunities and offer business support to elevate innovation and stimulate growth. By bringing together local businesses, we aim to establish a vibrant network where industry experts can exchange knowledge to collectively address and resolve challenges via sector-specific events and workshops.
Each bi-monthly gathering for the Surrey Manufacturing and Engineering Network will be hosted by a manufacturing or engineering business initially located within Surrey Heath, kicking off at Amazon Filters, Camberley. For those in the manufacturing and engineering sector, this is the perfect opportunity to network, learn and collaborate.
As part of the research towards the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) report for our area, many businesses highlighted a need to improve diversity and inclusion in their workforce and welcomed support to help identify and engage with “hidden” pools of talent to help fill skills gaps.
At Surrey Chambers of Commerce, we encourage our businesses to think outside the box. For example, considering employing people from a wider pool of talent. In Surrey, there are around 12,000 autistic people, many of whom would love to be working but they find the application process a real barrier. Once they secure a job, they become key employees and contribute a great deal to the business.
In addition, there is a great deal of support available to help employers understand the kind of adjustments they may need to make. We have been encouraging businesses to sign up to our ongoing ‘Accessing Untapped Talent’ events that demonstrate some brilliant examples of employers and employees making adjustments for the benefit of both.
We were deeply saddened to hear that Chaz Brooks, one of our amazing past presidents of Surrey and Guildford Chambers, passed away on 5 February after a two-year battle with cancer. Chaz was an integral part of the creation of Surrey Chambers and supported it and me for many years. It’s a very sad loss for the business community. I know many people reading this will know Chaz and have such good memories of his cheery disposition. Our condolences go out to Mandy and their three lovely children, Amy, Matt and Ella.
CONTACT:
Louise Punter, chief executive, Surrey Chambers of Commerce
www.sussexchamberofcommerce.co.uk
