BUSINESSES hold the key to Trafford Council and its partners gaining a better understanding of the skills and recruitment issues facing retail employers.

Recognising this, businesses are being encouraged to take part in a short survey, launched this week, which will shape a series of training sessions and opportunities.

The survey can be accessed via https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JHX7D2V and all responses must be in by Friday, 2 September 2016.

Working with several partners including Trafford College, Business Growth Hub and the Department of Work and Pensions, the survey findings will be used to ensure the training and support available best meets the needs of local retailers enabling them to thrive and grow.

Executive member for economic growth, environment and infrastructure, Cllr John Reilly, said: "Trafford Council and its partners are committed to providing the best possible support to the local retail sector, acknowledged as the Borough's largest employer. We want to ensure that, in today's tough, competitive market, we can create a package of tailored support which will help close the skills and recruitment issues many face.

"To do this we need local businesses to take the time to complete the survey and furnish us with the information we need. By working together, we can ensure our retail sector continues to benefit from highly skilled, trained and enthusiastic staff, all helping boost the local economy."

Richard Paxton, general manager of Intu Trafford Centre added: “This survey is crucial in ensuring Trafford Council accurately identifies what challenges local employers are facing in terms of recruitment. We, alongside our retailers and caterers, can then invest in relevant and effective staff training and development opportunities.

“After signing the Trafford Pledge earlier this year, intu Trafford Centre has taken on three new apprentices in time for September. We’re committed to working alongside the Council to support local, talented people get onto the retail career ladder.“ Katie Bland, from Altrincham Business Improvement Distric,t commented: “Altrincham has a growing retail offer and a great mix of independent and multiple businesses. We are working closely with Trafford Council to put together a training programme that meets not only the needs of our smaller businesses that might not have access to the kind of training larger organisations are able to provide but that also supports and complements our larger town centre businesses’ skills development programmes.”

The results of the survey will be fed back at a series of events with the first at intu Trafford Centre on September 26.