Guernsey Chamber has been hearing a clear and consistent message from its members: a shortage of talent is stalling business growth.

Despite full employment, the island is grappling with a critical skills gap, and the challenges of attracting talent to Guernsey are only growing. Coupled with an ageing population and an increasing number of non-working individuals over 50, this issue is becoming more complex by the day.

So, what’s the solution? How do we prepare our current and future workforce for jobs that are rapidly evolving in response to technological and societal change?

These pressing questions will be at the heart of our upcoming Invest in Skills, Reap the Rewards event, where HR professionals, business leaders, and recruitment experts will gather to explore the challenges and opportunities of Guernsey’s workforce.

In a dynamic panel debate, we’ll hear from thought leaders including Danielle Harford-Fox, Principal of Ladies’ College, Louise Misselke, Principal of The Guernsey Institute College, and Becky Machon, Founder of Focus HR.

One of the key voices contributing to this conversation, Danielle Harford-Fox,  recently reflected on the role of education in shaping the workforce of tomorrow. She reminds us that, while many industries have transformed, our education system has remained largely unchanged since the first industrial revolution, continuing to focus on rote learning and knowledge acquisition.

As she puts 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.

These insights resonate deeply with the theme of our event.

  • Should we, as businesses, shift our recruitment focus from traditional knowledge-based qualifications to the skills required to navigate a future driven by artificial intelligence and rapid technological change?
  • How can we work together to foster lifelong learning and retrain the workforce for the jobs of tomorrow?

As businesses in Guernsey look ahead, it’s clear that flexibility, adaptability, and technological competence will be crucial. The Invest in Skills event will dive into these questions and more, offering attendees the opportunity to engage in shaping the island’s future workforce. From retraining programs to educational reforms, we’ll explore how Guernsey can build the talent pipeline needed to ensure continued growth and innovation.

This event is not just for HR professionals; it’s for anyone with a stake in Guernsey’s economic future. Together, we have the potential to create a thriving workforce, but it will require collaboration across sectors and bold new approaches to education, recruitment, and talent development.

Join us on November 6th to be part of this critical conversation and help shape the future of Guernsey’s workforce.