Welcome to my first blog for the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership.
These fortnightly blogs will give a bit of an insight into the work that I do as Chief Executive of the Worcestershire LEP and give perspective on the progress being made in the County to build a connected, creative and dynamic economy.
In the past month students have received their exam results and many are now embarking on their next stage of education, through apprenticeships, colleges and higher education in Worcestershire. This is an exciting time for the younger generation as they benefit from the fantastic opportunities and support available to them. Worcestershire LEP is committed to ensuring that Worcestershire’s future workforce has the appropriate skills needed to excel in the workplace and to boost local businesses. The Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards is the perfect example of how young workers and businesses have both benefitted from skills development and I would encourage you to book your place at this year’s awards on 17 November to see the benefits of hiring apprentices.
We are also supporting the launch of the Charter for Inclusive Growth which is taking place on Friday 30 September at Worcestershire County Cricket Club. Robin Walker will be launching the Charter and I am pleased to be joining the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce in speaking at this event. I would encourage local businesses to attend as an opportunity to learn more about the benefits of employing those who are in need of additional support. I look forward to meeting with many local businesses at the launch and for more information, please visit our website.
The business community has a hugely positive impact in Worcestershire and local companies have recently helped to shape the future of innovation in the County by completing a questionnaire on the Worcestershire Innovation (WINN) website and, as a result of this feedback, a number of new initiatives will be launched at the next WINN event. Business innovation is hugely important to our local economy and I would encourage any interested businesses to register for 28 September and add 30 November to your diary for future WINN Wednesdays.
Tomorrow I will be joining a meeting in Malvern to discuss how to attract further local investment. Worcestershire LEP recognises the importance of raising the profile of the County as a place to invest and I am currently also working with the Department for International Trade on a Midlands Engine Cyber mission to Baltimore, Maryland in the United States, in October. The delegation will highlight the international quality of our cyber sector in Worcestershire and across the region and enable our businesses to build long term relationships with companies in the US and develop business opportunities. I look forward to hosting a return visit from Maryland in 2017.
