Apprenticeships highlighted as being key to Chesterfield’s continued growth
Chesterfield has been highlighted as being on one of the fastest growing corridors in the UK. Speaking at the recent Celebrate Chesterfield event, organised by the town’s marketing campaign Destination Chesterfield, George Cowcher, Chief Executive of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce (DNCC), said:
“There is the capacity and opportunity for the town to expand and become important to the UK economy.”
With standing room only, more than 200 people attended Destination Chesterfield’s event at the Proact Stadium which reviewed the town’s successes during the last 12 months as well as announcing plans for the forthcoming year.
At the event Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of the Chesterfield Borough Council announced that Chesterfield is creating more jobs. He said:
“The most recent figures that are available show in the period 2009 to 2012 employment in Chesterfield increased by 10 per cent. This has had a positive impact in helping to reduce unemployment to the current rate of 3.1%.
”And in December 2013, Chesterfield’s unemployment rate was at the national average – which was then 2.9 per cent – for the first time in 20 years, although that gap has increased slightly since then.”
Councillor John Burrows, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said:
“The manufacturing, retail and tourism sectors are all strong areas for Chesterfield and are key areas for employment growth.”
In particular the growth in employers taking on apprentices was highlighted as a major contributing factor in reducing unemployment levels in Chesterfield.
Trevor Clay, Principal of Chesterfield College, said:
“Apprenticeships are really important for the continued growth of Chesterfield. They are an important part of helping us narrow the skills gaps that are emerging in many of our industries, specifically manufacturing, engineering, construction and IT. Small to medium size businesses make up a large proportion of Chesterfield’s economy, and being able to train up and develop staff themselves benefits them hugely.”
Mr Clay warned however that the government’s failure to consult with small businesses on its proposed reforms for apprenticeships could lead to a significant reduction in apprentice numbers and harm the town’s continued growth.
Although still under consultation, one of the biggest changes for apprenticeships will be where funding is directed. Currently this goes to training providers and colleges who then deliver the training on behalf of an employer. Plans from the Government include directing funding to employers in the form of Tax Relief from HMRC which they would then be responsible for paying their provider of choice
Trevor Clay said:
“I have grave concerns that the responsibility and administrative burden of commissioning the training and funding will put many SMEs off taking on apprentices. Many of these businesses are owner managed, without an HR and finance team to support them. In many cases the administration has to be taken on by the owner personally who is probably on the shop floor actively running the business on a day-to-day basis.”
At the event Chesterfield College also announced it was opening a technical academy in the town for 14 to 19 year olds who do not want an academic career in order to create a supply chain of new talent for Chesterfield’s industries.
Huw Bowen also highlighted the town’s tourism pull saying: “Achieving the Coach Friendly Town of the Year award for 2013 should not be underestimated. We attract more than 500 coaches of tourists each year, who bring significant spend into our economy.”
He also highlighted that Chesterfield’s shop occupancy rate was one of the highest in the UK, currently standing at 94%.
To keep-up-to-date with events and developments in Chesterfield, visitwww.chesterfield.co.uk.
Source:Destination Chesterfield
