Core and Digital Skills in Professional Services

The professional services sector is changing, with the introduction of new technology such as automation and AI.

This is reshaping how services are delivered, from client onboarding and data analysis to reporting and compliance and in turn creating a need for stronger digital capability, adaptable core skills and a workforce that can respond quickly to new ways of working.

We're hosting a 1-hour online sector skills discussion to find out more about what skills businesses need now, and in the future.

We will discuss:

• What are the biggest challenges and/or opportunities facing Professional Services SMEs?
• Which skillsets are most in demand in your business right now?
• What training do you currently use to upskill staff? Do you work with any training providers?
• How do you see the industry changing over the next 1–5 years? What emerging trends are you preparing for?
• How is your business thinking about sustainability or environmental impact (if at all)?
• What support would help SMEs become more sustainable and overcome current or future barriers?

Your insights will feed into the future skills agenda via the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).

Why join us?

Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) place employers at the heart of local skills systems. Colleges and universities are training your future workforce, so join us to discuss what skills you need from your staff now, and in the future. Your insights will help us work with education providers and partners to shape provision and courses moving forward.

Who can join us?

This event is open to any employee from any business located in the Swindon and Wiltshire area, that wants to impact the skills workforces will need in the future.

If you’re a training provider or regional partner and you’d like to get involved, please email us first at LSIP@businesswest.co.uk to discuss. These sector skills discussions aim to collect business intelligence directly from businesses in the specified local areas. However, we may have some available spaces for our partners and providers to register as long as you are able to bring along employers from your network to join in the discussion.

How much does it cost?

There is no charge for this event. Tickets are only available for a restricted time due to limited capacity. Book now to avoid disappointment.

Where is the event?

This event will be held online via Microsoft Teams. If you have any accessibility requirements for joining, please let us know at LSIP@businesswest.co.uk.

Data Protection

We take your data very seriously and are committed to the privacy and security of it. Our Privacy Notice explains the types of personal data we may collect about you and how we’ll store and handle that data, and keep it safe. All data is kept in line Business West’s Data Retention and Data Protection Policies, which are available on request. The Department for Education fund this service, and your data may be shared with them. Their privacy policy is available at Department for education personal-information-charter. Research information will be shared with the Department for Education and our Further Education Provider partners anonymously to help organisations like yours grow and flourish in your sector.

Where you provide personal data to us, it is essential that you have the right to give us that personal data, and to allow us to use it as anticipated by the arrangements between us. This includes where the personal data that you are providing relates to people other than yourself. We will rely on you to make sure that you do have those rights. Both we and you will comply with our obligations under all relevant laws and rules on data protection and privacy.

Occasionally, Business West provides information highlighting its services and other relevant opportunities that may be of interest to its members and the wider business community. Event attendees will receive our What’s On newsletters. If you don’t wish to receive these communications, please update your preferences. Alternatively, you can unsubscribe from any marketing emails you receive.

We're working in partnership with Somerset Chamber of Commerce on the Somerset Local Skills Improvement Plan, so data may be shared with them. You can view their privacy policy here.