Last year the Shetland Economic Development Forum skills and learning sub-group commissioned three sectoral skills surveys into hospitality, tourism and retail; food and drink; and knowledge, information and telecommunications (KIT).
  
These surveys have now been completed and the results are available on the Shetland Enterprise website

The surveys were commissioned to record and analyse the skills and development needs identified by each industry sector.  The findings of the surveys will help shape future skills support from public agencies such as Shetland Enterprise and Shetland Islands Council (SIC).

The survey research included focus groups with Shetland residents, in depth interviews with key local development agencies, business surveys and interviews with members of the public - including visitors to Shetland.
  
The main recommendations of the hospitality, tourism and retail sector survey were to educate young people that the service industry is a sound career option and to highlight to businesses the link between good customer service and repeat business. 

Training and development were also seen as being important and should be promoted as both an investment and a development process for businesses.  This training along with a quality assurance scheme for Shetland customer service businesses should ensure that high standards of customer care are being achieved.

Shetland Enterprise is currently working with the Shetland Retailers Association to develop a management, leadership and retail skills programme as identified by the survey.

For Shetland's food and drink sector the recommendations were for the industry to work together to develop a clear business strategy for the future and to develop strong leadership skills and the skills necessary for adding value to Shetland's food and drink products.  The industry is also advised to work together more by developing collaborative working practices. 

In response to some of these recommendations a 'Shetland Food and Drink Group' is being established to act as a vehicle for producing excellence, encouraging diversity and raising the profile of food and drink producers in Shetland.  The new group will provide meeting and networking opportunities for food and drink producers, customers, suppliers and service providers.

The key recommendations from the KIT survey suggest the industry needs to bring itself up-to-date with current and emerging technology and closer links need to be built between the training and education sectors and local companies.  There is also a need to develop technical skills and all round business and management skills.

Shetland College has already been successful in securing European Union funding for a KIT co-ordinator to implement the recommendations from the KIT survey report.

The surveys were jointly funded by Shetland Enterprise, Shetland Islands Council and the European LEADER+ programme.

Rachel Hunter, skills development manager with Shetland Enterprise, said: "These surveys have been very useful in identifying skills gaps and training needs in the different sectors.  We will now work with the Shetland Economic forum sub group, who commissioned the surveys, and partners in the public and private sector to focus on where our combined resources are most needed."

Douglas Irvine, head of business development with Shetland Islands Council, added: "Improving skills in Shetland to match improving work opportunities in the economy is one of the five priorities in Shetland's Economic Development Strategy.  The three surveys will have a significant impact on directing resources into the improvement of essential skills."