Fiona is a Business Skills Advisor in our Local Skills Improvement Plan Team (LSIP). She can provide skills advice to businesses across Gloucestershire, Swindon & Wiltshire and the West of England, and help them navigate the skills landscape. 

We chatted to Fiona about her role, what a typical week looks like for her and her idea of a perfect Sunday. 

Tell us a bit about yourself and your career background?

I've worked in employability and skills for several years, mainly within the private and third sectors. My previous roles have involved managing projects that support the most disadvantaged in society whilst helping businesses to become more inclusive in their policies and working practices. 

What is your current role at Business West?

I currently work within the LSIP team as a skills advisor, providing skills advice to businesses across the various regions, helping them navigate the complicated skills landscape to bolster their people plans, tackle their skills challenges and access skills provision that develops their Workforce and grows their business.  

What is your favourite aspect of your role?

I love the variety of the businesses I meet and how unique they are, despite facing similar challenges. The skills landscape is vast and constantly evolving, which can be daunting for companies to navigate, so I enjoy supporting workforce planning, offering suggestions, and guiding them on their journey.

Which team member would you like to swap roles with for the day, and why?

Probably Gus, who works as a research officer within the LSIP team gathering and analysing labour market intelligence. I've always been interested in data relating to hiring intentions and workforce trends that impact business, the skills agenda, and employment. 

What help and skills support can you offer businesses as part of your role? 

We offer businesses a free 45-minute one-to-one meeting with a skills advisor to discuss skills challenges and provide information about resources and training solutions to boost their business and contribute towards informing the region's Local Skills Improvement Plan.

Our skills advisors can support businesses with:

• Identifying people and skills needs within your business.
• Linking with training providers and skills programmes
• Accessing apprenticeships/apprenticeship levy support
• Upskilling your existing Workforce
• Internships and work experience
• Low Carbon and green initiatives
• Workplace culture and wellbeing

Tell us about your perfect Sunday – what would it involve?

A perfect Sunday would start as a lazy morning, followed by a drive to somewhere in the country for a nice walk, then stumbling across a country pub for a roast dinner and a pint or two!