Lithnia - The Next Level of Government

Transcription

1 Investment Advisory Council Meeting Presentation by Farida Gibbs CEO of Gibbs S 3 24 February, 2015 Vilnius, Lithuania 1

2 Business-Education Partnerships Today s Topic: Fostering Active Business-Education Partnerships Examples of win-win partnerships (that create jobs) Role of Government Invitation: Share your experiences 2

3 A good question Can Lithuania turn brain drain into brain gain? By Nic Mitchell, February 17, 2015 University enrollment falling by 5+%/year, will drop 40% by ,000 Lithuanians studying in UK Promote studying in Lithuania to international students (students from India increased from 57 to 357 in past 2 years Mergers among 14 state universities -- can create stronger brand for Lithuania Recruit more Lithuanians to return home for good jobs 3

4 About Gibbs S 3 Founded in 2005 by Farida Gibbs, CEO Created partnership with S³ in 2009 Globally certified woman-owned business Europe's fastest growing staffing, consulting and resource solutions company Sales grew 35%; Net profit rose 42% in 2013 Tier 1 supplier to FTSE100 companies #1 ranking at top UK financial services firms Recognized as one of the TOP 50 Rising Stars by Growth Business 4

5 Gibbs S³ Offices Surrey, England London, England Manchester, England Cheshire, England Edinburgh, Scotland 5

6 What Lithuania Has Going for It Skilled workforce Highly-educated and multi-lingual graduates Labor cost: Pay rates lower than Western Europe & U.S. Parity with India (technical roles) Low attrition Cultural and Educational Proximity to Europe Location/Time-zone: GMT +2 Political: stable government, NATO and EU member Global trends: Move work to lower cost (than Western Europe) locations Move work back from outsourced locations, like India 6

7 Training Projects That Work Client-based Apprenticeships, Gibbs S 3, UK Client defines skill gap to Gibbs S 3 Gibbs S 3 identifies and works with training candidates to establish mentoring apprenticeship with client Successful candidates gain qualification and relationships for employment by client Other examples of corporate mentorship in Lithuania? 7

8 Training Projects That Work (2) Java Developer Training, S 3, nationally in U.S. Java skills demand and competition at all-time high worldwide: only 1 Java developer for every 10 open positions S3 partnered with a private training organization to provide 8-week intensive Java certification program Classes of 15 students after rigorous pre-screening (only 10% selected) Priority on military veteran students Guaranteed employment (by S 3 ) upon successful completion Economic model: labor costs start lower than market, rise to market rates over 2 years 8

9 Training Projects That Work (3) Automation Alley, Michigan, U.S. Mission: tech business association dedicated to growing the economy of Southeast Michigan and enhancing the region's reputation around the world Technical Talent Development Program: provides funding to local employers for cost of high-level IT training for new hires and existing employees. Training is done by local educational institutions; type of training determined by the employer. Funded by $5 million grant by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration 9

10 Training Projects That Work (4) Scholarship Program For Students Detroit Regional Chamber, Students graduating from any high school in Detroit can receive funding for two-years of technical training, or college Created by Governor Rick Snyder, administered by the Detroit Regional Chamber, and funded through private donations A model for Lithuania? Offer scholarships to college graduates who return to Lithuania after studying abroad 10

11 Challenges Now back to that BBC article and our challenges: Brain drain statistics are alarming: 54,000 people migrated out in 2011; half to UK 40% decline in university enrollment by 2023 unless we do something differently Article says Lithuania needs more foreign students who stay after graduation, and more Lithuanian students to return home Other obstacles your company has faced in Lithuania? 11

12 A Good Framework for Change Lithuania is the second best-educated country in the EU (Eurostat, 2012) 92% of total population has completed at least upper secondary education. Highest rate in the EU More than 40% of population with higher education 160,000 students in universities/colleges, about 40,000 graduates annually; with 12,000 students abroad 14 state-run universities and colleges 12

13 Bold Recommendations Consolidate/Merge Universities Create new collaborative training programs between universities/colleges Encourage more foreign students to enroll in Lithuanian universities, and stay after graduation Redouble efforts, including engaging private companies, to encourage Lithuanians to return home for jobs Other recommendations? 13

14 Contact Information Mantas Paskveicius, Country Director (Lithuania) Telephone: Farida Gibbs, CEO (Gibbs S 3 ) Telephone: fgibbs@gibbs-s3.com Cynthia Pasky, CEO & Founder (S 3 ) Telephone: cpasky@strategicstaff.com 14

15 Thank you! 15