The Voice of Guernsey Business report highlighted Education and Skills as critical policy areas requiring immediate attention from our future Deputies.
Respondents were clear: the island’s education system is underfunded and misaligned with workforce needs. An overwhelming 88% of respondents felt that the current investment focus is not fit for purpose, and 61% believe more should be directed toward investment in people.
Guernsey businesses are grappling with talent shortages, fuelled by a housing crisis and high cost of living, which are impacting both local retention and off-island recruitment. The most pressing talent gaps are in accounting, fiduciary services, and technology.
Sophie Bonakdar, President of Guernsey’s Young Business Group, and Annaliese McGeoch, Vice Chair of the IoD’s Next Gen committee, have explored what the G8 survey findings mean through the eyes of tomorrow’s leaders.
Is the G8 consistent with the views/ voices of the next-gen?
Sophie:
“Absolutely. The G8 is helping to articulate what many young professionals and future leaders have been saying for some time – we need a long-term, integrated plan for education, skills, and workforce development. It reflects the reality that people my age are facing: student debt, rising living costs, a housing crisis, and an education system that isn’t always aligned with the job market. The focus on teacher quality, digital skills, apprenticeships, and workforce participation shows that the G8 isn’t just listening – it’s responding with practical, forward-looking solutions. That alignment gives us confidence that our voices are being heard and can shape policy.”
Annaliese:
“Yes, and from an educational perspective, there are genuine concerns about the quality of secondary education for our children, especially for the next generation, many of whom are considering having children or have young children and are looking ahead to consider the viability of remaining in Guernsey when they have their own families.”
Buildings or teachers? Where should Guernsey invest?
Sophie Bonakdar:
“We need to shift the conversation from bricks to people. Investing in quality teachers and adequate staff is foundational to effective education. Buildings don’t teach students; great teachers do. We can’t expect world-class outcomes if we don’t prioritise those delivering education.”
Annaliese McGeoch:
“The value and benefit of the quality of facilities, buildings and physical resources to enable learning is undeniable but should only be prioritised where a system with adequate quality and quantity of teachers exists to deliver education. That system does not currently exist, and it’s clear from the G8 feedback that businesses want to see long-term investment in the professionals shaping our future workforce. For the education system, that starts with recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers.”
How is housing impacting skills and education?
Annaliese McGeoch:
“Housing is one of the most cited barriers for young professionals. It’s not just about affordability; it’s about the availability of suitable, accessible homes. If we can’t house our teachers or attract graduate-level talent, we can’t fill current vacancies and demand, never mind aspire to establish a strong talent pipeline.”
Sophie Bonakdar:
“Exactly. We see the housing issue having a huge knock-on effect beyond the classroom, whether it’s struggling to recruit staff or young people feeling like their only route to success is to leave. It’s eroding confidence in Guernsey as a place to build a life and a career.”
Why are apprenticeships important to consider in the educational mix?
Sophie Bonakdar:
“There’s real untapped potential in vocational training. Apprenticeships offer young people practical, rewarding career paths, especially in areas where we have critical shortages, such as trades and construction. We talk about affordable housing, but that conversation has to include who’s going to build it.
“Apprenticeships are vital for a small community like Guernsey where those who do not excel in traditional educational settings have an opportunity to build a career through vocational training.”
How can we plan for tomorrow’s skills requirements today?
Annaliese McGeoch:
“The future workforce needs to be agile, and our young people need to be educated in a way that makes them adaptable to change with a ‘give things a go’ mentality. That doesn’t just come from the syllabus they are taught but from the consistency of teachers who impact engagement at school, creating an environment that is inclusive to all young people.
“In this day and age, GCSE maths and English attainment should be a given. It isn’t, and that needs to be addressed by investing in skilled teachers who are experienced not just in their subject areas but also in ways of learning and teaching (which we will only attract if housing and the cost of living are addressed more widely). Of course, the education system needs to keep pace with industry and technology change, but the basics need to be delivered properly first, which they currently aren’t.”
Sophie Bonakdar:
“Career changes are becoming more common, and our system should reflect that. We need to support transitions, encourage adult learning, and collaborate with businesses to ensure education remains aligned with evolving industry needs. Work experience, mentoring, and upskilling should be baked into our thinking from school through to mid-career.”
G8 Call to Action: Close the Education & Skills Gap
Guernsey businesses are calling for policies that invest in people – teachers, students, and workers. We want to nurture local talent and make Guernsey a magnet for the professionals who will help us grow.
The launch of the Skills for Guernsey Agency is a step forward. However, it will not succeed alone without addressing other critical areas, such as policies that address housing, the cost of living, and the quality of education. We also need to improve attainment in core subjects, such as Maths and English, and plan ahead for sector-specific skills, which can only be achieved by investing in teachers, housing them, and making Guernsey an attractive prospect.
By the end of 2026, we are asking for:
- The creation of a Skills for Guernsey Agency, co-designed with business, targeting literacy, numeracy, digital, and vocational skills.
- Immediate implementation of actions from the Participation in Work report to boost productivity and economic engagement.
Guernsey’s next generation of business leaders is ready to partner with the government to build a workforce that’s ready for the future. We now ask our Deputies to do the same.
