Tackling Guernsey’s skills shortage

Guernsey’s businesses are feeling the strain of a critical skills shortage, despite the island’s full employment.

As the pressure mounts to attract and retain talent, the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce is hosting a panel discussion exploring how education and other critical factors like infrastructure, housing, and training play a role in shaping the island’s future workforce.

The event, Invest in Skills, Reap the Rewards, will bring together leaders in education, business, and government to address the key challenges hindering Guernsey’s growth. With businesses reporting that a lack of talent is stalling their expansion, the conversation will focus on how to retrain the workforce for the jobs of tomorrow and how to make lifelong learning a reality.

One of the key voices contributing to this conversation is Danielle Harford-Fox, Principal of Ladies’ College, who recently reflected on the need for a shift in how we educate the workforce of tomorrow. She highlights how, despite the transformation of industries, our education system remains rooted in outdated methods established during the first industrial revolution, prioritising rote learning and knowledge acquisition.

As Danielle put it: “We rank children on their ability to recall information, but we aren’t measuring the skills that will truly prepare them for a fast-changing world — skills like collaboration, influence, emotional regulation, and flexibility.”

The island’s ageing population and increasing number of non-working individuals over 50 add to the complexity, making it clear that Guernsey needs a holistic approach to talent development.

This panel will tackle questions such as: Should we be recruiting for skills over knowledge? How can we reshape the education system to better meet the needs of businesses? What roles do infrastructure and affordable housing play in retaining talent?

“The skills gap is a pressing issue for Guernsey’s future,” said Alice Gill, Executive Director of the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce.

“Our members are already struggling to recruit talent, and this challenge will only grow if we don’t rethink education, learning and the way we do business. We need to provide vibrant post-school opportunities and a strong business environment to attract and retain people.”

The debate will be moderated by Justin Bellinger, Chamber Director and former CEO of Sure Guernsey. Expert panellists include:

• Danielle Hartford-Fox, Principal of Ladies’ College
• Louise Misselke, Principal of The College of Further Education
• Becky Machon, Founder of Focus HR

Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller will also provide valuable insights from the government, sharing updates from recent initiatives and surveys aimed at solving Guernsey’s skills shortage.