Ambassadors programme launched 

A NEW programme has been launched to recognise the achievements of Shropshire’s business, sporting and cultural heritage.

The Ambassadors programme, which brings together business leaders together with their peers from the medical and academic communities, has been launched by Meet Telford & Shropshire at an event at Weston Park.

Meet Telford & Shropshire, part of Telford & Wrekin Council, has been working in partnership with Harper Adams University, Lilleshall National Sports & Conference Centre, and The International Centre Telford to get the project off the ground.

The aim is to draw on the knowledge and passion of these leaders as official destination Ambassadors for the area.

Sarah Bird, business tourism manager for Meet Telford & Shropshire, said: “Our Ambassadors will play a vital role in helping Meet Telford & Shropshire and our other key stakeholders firmly position Telford and Shropshire as a major conference destination to their own industries, association, and groups.” 

“Each and every one of our Ambassadors is a highly influential individual who works or lives in Telford and Shropshire, they’re passionate about our region, are themselves an active member of an association, group, or organisation, and are keen to host an event in our region.”

Telford presses on with MoD Gateway plan

TWIN planning applications which could see Telford becoming a major centre for the Ministry of Defence have been submitted by Telford & Wrekin Council.

The council is looking at how the Donnington site could meet the requirements for the MoD’s National Defence Gateway logistics operation.

If the two applications gain planning permission, it gives Telford the opportunity to become the Defence Gateway for the MoD logistics operation.

If the Telford bid is successful, it would make Telford a main centre for the MoD’s logistics operation in the UK. The move would help protect jobs at Donnington and potentially attract new jobs to the borough.

The council is seeking consent for two sites directly linked to MoD Donnington and the applications are designed to give the MoD the greatest flexibility in achieving its maximum requirements.

The applications include three major warehouses, associated car parking and offices.

Funding bonus for youth unemployment scheme

A SHROPSHIRE-based project aimed at helping young people into work has had its funding renewed.

The Telford and Wrekin scheme helps young people from hard to reach groups gain access to employment opportunities.

The turnaround project uses money from the European Social Fund to help young people not in education or training make progress.

Funding has been renewed following the success of the project so far. It has already exceeded its previous target of helping 75 young people out of a group of 120.

During the life of the previous contract it actually helped 108 youngsters from a group of 168 move into education, employment or training

The new contract – which lasts until July 2015 and has an initial value of £385,214 – is targeting 181 people, with the aim of helping at least 163 youngsters to progress.