The GTA is well placed to help Guernsey ensure it has the skills needed for the future, according to its new chief executive.
Simon Le Tocq, who took on the role on 1st March, said that it is well understood that Guernsey needs to continue upskilling its workforce in order to remain competitive and the GTA was uniquely placed to work with both the public and the private sector to ensure that they have the skills they need,’ he said.
‘We now have the economic development strategy in place and skills runs right through that. Skills has definitely risen right up the political agenda and it’s now something that is talked about at all levels and that has to be a positive,’ said Dr Monkhouse.
‘One of the key things is going to be speed. Businesses need to be fleet of foot to respond to the changing global economy, legislation and regulation. GTA’s business model is perfectly suited to respond quickly. We don’t have employed academic staff who need training and can use our extensive database of tutors, both on-island and from the UK, to tailor courses when there is demand.’
But the diverse nature of the courses that the island needs did present the GTA with a commercial challenge.
‘Some of the courses are run at below break-even because that’s what the island needs. We are here to offer courses that are less commercially attractive but have a clear benefit. That’s a balancing act as we clearly can’t run courses for one person but the funding we receive from the States does allow us to run some non-profitable courses,’ said Dr Monkhouse.
She added that in the 18 months she had held the role of interim chief executive she had focused on ensuring that the GTA had a secure future ahead of it to meet the changing training needs of the island.