• Swindon & Wiltshire News
• Thursday November 20 2014

New strategy to help drive economic growth in Wiltshire is agreed

A new strategy to help drive growth in the county’s economy has been agreed by Wiltshire Council and its partners in the business world.

The Education, Employment and Skills Strategy will put employers at the heart of preparing people in Wiltshire for meeting current and future skills needs.

Following consultation with strategic partners, stakeholders and the general public the strategy will provide a structured and co-ordinated approach to sustained engagement in education, training or work, across all age and client groups.

The strategy will guide how Wiltshire Council and partners on the Education, Employment and Skills Board work together to create an environment to:

Support schools, the further education sector, higher education institutions and training providers to increase participation in education, training and employment
Support the development of a skilled and competitive workforce that meets the needs of employers both now and in the future
Drive business development and economic growth
Co-ordinate partnerships to achieve common goals
Maximise the impact of emerging education and skills policies

Consultation on the strategy concluded last month and the Education, Employment and Skills Board considered the responses when the strategy was finalised. Wiltshire Council’s cabinet have now endorsed the strategy next as the Education, Employment & Skills Board prepares to adopt the final strategy.

The strategy supports all three priorities in the council’s Business Plan; to protect those who are most vulnerable, boost the local economy and bring communities together to support them to do more for themselves.

Objectives of the strategy include raising aspiration, employability and attainment; reducing barriers and increasing social mobility; reducing NEET and workless episodes; supporting employers to develop their workforce, growing their business and fostering a culture of enterprise and innovation.

Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, cabinet member for economic development, said: “Education and training is key as we face the challenge of encouraging future prosperity.

“Our young people deserve every opportunity to develop successful careers.

“Wiltshire Council will do all it can to boost the prospects of the workforce and this strategy will help drive the business growth that will benefit all our communities.”

The strategy can be found on the recently launched Wiltshire Works website: www.workwiltshire.co.uk/2014-2020-strategy/