Access to a skilled workforce is central to a successful local economy which is why the Chamber recently set up our own Skills Development Programme, “Building Bridges”.

Difficulty in recruiting staff with the right skills from the local area has been a recurring theme of the ongoing feedback we gather from our members and other Dunbartonshire businesses.

Building Bridges is designed to connect young people with businesses to help develop local skills and experience to meet the needs of our local enterprises.

In our first few weeks we have already hosted 30 schoolchildren at our business hub in Clydebank connecting them with one of our member businesses, St Andrews First Aid, to provide them with some valuable transferable skills – as well as helping to create “a nation of life savers”. We were also delighted to sign up our first Building Bridges Apprentices.

Read more: Clydemuir Primary pupils learn skills during Chamber's first aid programme

Building Bridges will continue our work to develop relationships with local primary and secondary schools, facilitating school visits from representatives of local businesses as well as hosted tours and events designed to build an understanding of career opportunities and skills requirements.

Going forward Building Bridges will help create, promote and encourage work experience placements, internships, apprenticeships and full-time employment opportunities.

We were also delighted to celebrate the wealth of entrepreneurial talent we already have in West Dunbartonshire recently with the announcement of “Dunbartonshire Chamber Business of the Year”.

Printed circuit board manufacturer, European Circuits Ltd, were the deserved winner of this prestigious award, kindly sponsored by Clyde Marine Training, at the 2019 Working4Business Awards.

This month we launched an innovative series of “Netwalking” events – an exciting combination of Business Networking and Walking.

Netwalking provides a great opportunity to get out of the office and provides space (both physically and mentally) to connect with fellow businesspeople. We are delighted to present the first of our events in partnership with Chamber member, Nick Smith, of Square Pegs Coaching.

Read more: OPINION Damon Scott: Helping businesses to build resilience

On Wednesday, June 26, we will be marking Armed Forces Week with a Networking Lunch at which guests can find out more about our “ChamberFORCE” Programme and the work we are doing to connect businesses and the Armed Forces – including transferable skills and the benefits of signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant.

To find out more about how to join, support or sponsor the Chamber please visit our website at dunbartonshire chamber.co.uk, get in touch on 0141 280 0272 or email hello@dunbartonshire chamber.co.uk.