Mayor prioritises skills and the economy for her term of office

West Yorkshire’s Mayor has said she will position skills and the economy as key priorities for her next four years in office.

Tracy Brabin said she plans to bring more well paid jobs to the region.

Addressing the Combined Authority’s annual meeting of West Yorkshire’s leaders, she set out plans to revamp West Yorkshire’s training and skills system.

She said “I was re-elected with a promise to focus on growing a more inclusive economy, with more jobs and opportunities spread across the region.”

Brabin outlined proposals for a new Local Growth Plan to boost the region’s jobs market, as well as creating a “Region of Learning” to reform the skills and training in West Yorkshire.

This will include an employer accredited “badge” to help learners demonstrate they have some of the skills needed for the workplace.

She added: “Within the first six months of my term, we will set out how we will create a prosperous region with an inclusive economy and more well-paid jobs, putting more money into people’s pockets.

“Creating a Region of Learning will reform our skills system to support people to get the knowledge they need to succeed, with a modular system of learning tailored to the needs of employers and learners.”

Brabin also committed to continuing work to deliver a franchised bus system, getting spades in the ground on a Mass Transit network by 2028, and building 5,000 affordable homes across the region.