Will Shepherd has been appointed to serve as the new Chair of Solihull Employment and Skills Board (SESB) after Paul Thandi left the Board in February.
SESB has been instrumental in shaping Solihull Council’s employment and skills support for local businesses and the community to help drive economic growth in the borough. By identifying the skills gap in the workforce and potential growth opportunities, the Board works closely with key stakeholders to develop initiatives to give residents the skills needed by employers.
With 15 years’ experience as CEO of Cohesion, Will Shepherd will draw on his wealth of knowledge in recruitment and innovation to lead the Board, as well as act as the voice of employers. He is passionate about helping to tackle unemployment, particularly youth unemployment. He was Non-Executive Director of Miss Macaroon for 6 years, working with the leadership team of this social enterprise to motivate young people who have experienced long-term unemployment to develop the skills and aspiration needed to build successful careers.
Will said: I am excited about this opportunity to apply my passion for employment and skills in the role of Chair of the Solihull Employment and Skills board. With a group of like-minded employers, working with the Council and other key local stakeholders, I know we can have a positive impact on skills and employment priorities at local level.
From youth unemployment initiatives, essential work with schools, improving skills levels and the need for hyper local community recruitment in certain sectors, I look forward to engaging a strong group of local employers with the aim of achieving better results for both current moments. and future workforce within Solihull.
Councilor Ian Courts, Leader of Solihull Council and Portfolio Holder for the Economy, said: I would like to welcome Will to the Board and his new role at Solihull. I’m sure Wills’ leadership will be invaluable in shaping our services as we strive to attract new investment and create new jobs. Tackling youth unemployment has always been one of our most important challenges. I am excited about what Will can bring to the Board to enhance our support for young people.
Councilor Michael Gough, Portfolio Holder for Skills, Employment and Inclusion, said: This marks a new chapter for the Board as we continue to develop the local workforce to meet the needs of employers as we navigate the challenges ahead. This year is the year of SMEs as declared by the government. As a leader of an SME myself, I believe Will’s insights from his first-hand experience will be crucial to growing our employment and skills support.
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Image Source : www.solihull.gov.uk
