A NEW group is about to be formed that will shape the future of the Island’s education and training policies.

Richard Plaster, the commercial and human resources director at Jersey Electricity, (pictured) has this week been selected to chair the Skills Board – to be known as ‘Skills Jersey’. This employer-led group will advise the three ministers who make up the new Skills Executive: the ministers for Economic Development, Education, Sport and Culture, and Social Security.

This is the first time that the three departments have sought to co-ordinate their activities in a formal manner. The move has come from recognition that some Jersey school leavers lack basic skills and, at the same time, Jersey employers in all the main sectors – and particularly financial services – are crying out for skilled workers.

Over the next few weeks Mr Plaster will be shortlisting applicants for the five remaining board positions. They will work with a higher-education specialist and representatives of the three States departments to recommend strategy and allocation of resources.Mr Plaster said around 30 people had come forward for the board positions.