According to a new economic report, County Council involvement is bringing more jobs to business development sites across Staffordshire, whilst a county-wide skills programme is exceeding current targets.
Since the announcement of Staffordshire’s economic growth programme, in 2014, the project has overseen major achievements throughout the county, and in particular, the programme’s recent successes.
One site developed in partnership with Staffordshire County Council, Innovation Centre 5 (IC5) – located at Keele University’s new Science and Innovation Park – is now fully occupied. The original business case for IC5 estimated that the site would generate 120 jobs when full, but the site currently accommodates 160 skilled employees.
Staffordshire County Council also continues to work in partnership with the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (S&SLEP) to deliver a £58 million education and skills programme (launched in 2016). To date the scheme has benefited nearly 20,000 learners – 113% of the project’s target to date – with over 9,000 learners progressing into work or further training.
Staffordshire’s economic growth programme is believed to have added £477.6 million to the region’s economy since 2014, which includes £81.9 million of direct investment from Staffordshire County Council. For every £1 of investment made by the Council, £9.22 was invested by the private sector. Over the past 5-years, the economic growth programme has completed 16 ‘employment creation’ projects, which are expected to generate 22,500 jobs when fully occupied.
Recent highlights for the programme include:
- The start of development work at Liberty Park, Lichfield
- Aerial platform specialist, Haulotte relocating to Four Ashes Park, South Staffordshire
- Occupancy of the first unit at Meaford Business Park, near Stone, by metal pipe and hose manufacturer, Arctrend
- Planning permission has been approved for the development of Chatterley Valley West, Newcastle-under-Lyme
- Work has begun on the Western Extension at i54 South Staffordshire, whilst Midlands-based company, Morris Site Machinery has started work on a new facility on the current site
Staffordshire County Council’s Economic Growth Leader, Mark Winnington (pictured below) said:
“This programme update highlights its strength and successes and demonstrates that business wants to invest here and that our skills programme is making a real difference."
“It also shows how an effective partnership of organisations in both private and public sectors is vital in ensuring projects happen and achieve their aim. While this comes against the backdrop of near full employment in Staffordshire we will continue our focus on supporting growth in higher value sectors and creating better skilled, better paid jobs.”
The update will be presented to the county council’s Prosperous Staffordshire Select Committee next Thursday October 3.
Edited by Josh Heath