The G8 hosted a high-profile webinar to discuss Guernsey’s newly launched Adult Skills Framework and the formation of a new Adult Skills Board.
The session brought together key voices from government, education and industry to explore how Guernsey can develop a more resilient and inclusive skills landscape.
Chaired by Glen Tonks (pictured), Chair of the IoD Guernsey Branch and G8 member, the panel included Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller (President, Economic Development), Deputy Paul Montague (President, Education, Sport and Culture), Dr Louise Misselke (Principal, The Guernsey Institute), and Brooke Kenyon (Vice President, Guernsey Chamber of Commerce), and G8 member.
Glen Tonks opened the session by underlining the urgency of lifelong learning in the face of economic, demographic and technological shifts: “The pace of change today is likely to be the slowest in your career. Investing in adult skills is not just an educational initiative, it’s an economic imperative.”
Dr Louise Misselke outlined the newly developed Adult Skills Strategy, a structured and inclusive approach that aims to ensure all adults can upskill and adapt in a changing world.
Central to the strategy is the Guernsey 4×4 Framework, which prioritises four sectors vital to economic growth: financial services, green technologies, digital and creative industries, alongside four sectors essential to societal resilience: health and care, education, tourism and hospitality, and construction and engineering.
There are three core priorities that underpin the strategy;
- Upskilling for economic resilience
- Improving core skills and inclusion
- Building attractive and visible career pathways
Projects such as Skills for Life, The First Three, GradRoutes and a new Micro-Credentials initiative will provide flexible entry points and targeted support to meet learners at every stage of their development journey.
Deputy Paul Montague emphasised the importance of coordination between government, education and business: “We can’t afford to hear complaints about the skills gap in a year’s time if the routes to engagement exist today. This strategy must be shaped by what industry needs, and that requires businesses to get involved.”
Brooke Kenyon reinforced the business community’s role through the G8’s ‘Voice of Business’ initiative, which called for the creation of the Skills Board in 2025. She said: “We’re here to ensure momentum, accountability and communication. Our job is to push the strategy forward and make sure it connects with the reality on the ground.”
Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller spoke of the need for long-term vision, linking skills development to economic resilience, productivity and Guernsey’s future readiness: “Skills don’t exist in isolation. They must align with technology adoption and innovation. We need to build a future-facing ecosystem that enables both.”
With the Adult Skills Board now in place, the IoD will continue to work alongside the Guernsey Institute and other members of the G8 to ensure the strategy translates into tangible outcomes for local employers and Islanders alike.
“This is collaboration in action,” said Glen Tonks. “Employers must help shape what’s on offer. The IoD is proud to be part of this board and to support the development of a skills system that works for everyone.”
