Staffordshire County Council’s Economic Strategy 2023-2030 wants Staffordshire to be a top place for growth and investment by 2030. It aims to create more jobs with better pay, using new technology and moving towards carbon neutrality. The strategy also focuses on improving skills in some areas and helping more people get the qualifications needed for higher-paid jobs.
The Staffordshire Employment and Skills Plan Strategic Framework takes a targeted approach to jobs, skills, and working with local businesses. It explains why these plans are needed:
- To help residents find work and training
- Promote job opportunities linked to developments or major projects
- Make sure work packages and material orders go to local businesses and providers where possible.
An Employment and Skills Plan (ESP) is a process-led approach. It requires an Employment and Skills Team Officer from a Local Authority, or a representative from one of the county’s eight Borough or District Councils, to work closely with the development or project coordinator. They will need to meet regularly to review how the project can support training and job opportunities.
The high-level objectives of the plans will be to:
- Raise skill levels and increase employability for residents, promoting target groups
- Tackle skill shortages particularly in priority sectors
- Promote engagement of Staffordshire Jobs & Careers (SJC)
- For larger developments to seek funding to supplement local resources and to create an Employment & Skills Fund (Re. WMI)
- Promote the procurement of goods and services from local suppliers (FinditinStoke&Staffs)
Staffordshire ESP Framework Document (PDF, 768.18 KB)