“We want to make Telford the natural home for investors, innovators and entrepreneurs.”
The words appear in a new economic development strategy launched by Business winning, business supporting Telford & Wrekin Council, with the Telford Business Board.
Called “Enterprise Telford”, it sets out how the Council will encourage enterprise and innovation leading to business and economic growth. It states: “It is only through economic growth that we can create secure employment and lifestyle outcomes that will strengthen families and raise levels of economic independence for the benefit all of our borough’s households and communities.”
Representatives from 140 businesses, intermediaries and education providers were at the event at Telford Innovation Campus in Priorslee on Thursday 13 October to hear about the practical support on offer to bosses on a range of issues; from addressing skills shortages, to obtaining grants to help future growth.
They also heard from bosses previously given funding assistance:
Citing recent successes in attracting major business to Telford, such as the investment by Magna to locate at T54 where it will manufacture parts for Jaguar Land Rover, Telford & Wrekin Council Leader Shaun Davies said: “Our Enterprise Telford ‘Pledge’ builds on the significant experience we have of creating tailor made packages of support for business that goes above and beyond what is offered by national Enterprise Zones - with the advantage of greater flexibility and availability to businesses wherever they choose to invest in the Borough.”
Addressing the need to match the skills of the workforce to the jobs available, Councillor Gilly Reynolds, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Employment & Regeneration said: “The investment that the Council has made in supporting the development of the skills of our local residents directly impacts on the growth and prosperity of our local businesses, enabling business to grow resulting in more job opportunities and career progression for local people.
"This investment needs to start early to ensure that our young people are leaving education equipped with all the skills they need and that businesses are asking for.”
The audience heard from students of Charlton School on how prepared they felt they were for the world of work and from a number of organisations on what action they are taking to meet their skills challenges, including developing apprenticeships and working with schools:
Paul Hinkins, Chairman of the Telford Business Board said: “The Telford Business Board strongly believe in a collaborative approach and if we continue to work together to make the most of this borough’s strengths in terms of its business, people and its significant physical and environmental assets, from its transport connectivity to the Ironbridge Gorge, Telford can grow and prosper and we can ensure that all communities across our Borough contribute to and benefit from that growth.”
Today’s launch was welcomed by Karen Turner, Training Director of Imagine Training based in the Innovation Centre at the University of Wolverhampton’s campus at Priorslee.
She said: “It’s been inspirational, really interesting with lots of good factual information about grants and opportunities and, as a training provider in this area, I am really keen to know what’s up and coming.
“Anything that salutes our town and brings it to the forefront is wonderful.”
For more information about the ‘Enterprise Telford’ economic development strategy, or for help and advice on starting-up or further growing your business, contact: enterprisetelford@telford.gov.uk or 01952 567589, or visit www.enterprise-telford.co.uk
