Government pledges £17.5m for skills boost
THE Government today announced £17.5m for businesses to boost skills in the Leeds City Region.
The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) secured the funding from the Government’s Employer Ownership of Skills Pilot (EOP).
It will be awarded to small and medium-sized businesses to invest in the skills of their workforces, enabling them to develop and grow their business. This is supported by more than £20m in employer contributions.
The programme aims to address skills shortages in key sectors in the Leeds City Region that offer the greatest opportunities for economic and employment growth, such as manufacturing, construction, digital, hospitality and medical technology.
Grants and support of £500 – £50,000 will be available to businesses in the region.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “From medicine to manufacturing, the Leeds City Region boasts a diverse business community across high value sectors so it’s essential they get the support they need to grow. That’s why the Government is providing SME’s across the region with funds to support bespoke training programmes and the means to take on Apprentices so they can develop their workforce with their business needs in mind.”
Chancellor George Osborne said: “Supporting small businesses and the jobs they create is part of building the northern powerhouse. The new Leeds City Region skills fund is good news for small businesses. By investing in the skills of local people we will create new jobs in the City Region and help small firms thrive.
“Our investment will help deliver training to 17,000 people and enable thousands more employers to hire new apprentices. By backing small business and creating new jobs, we can ensure Britain stays on track for prosperity.”
The bid was led by Mark Ridgway, LEP board member and managing director of Joseph Rhodes, an advanced manufacturing company based in Wakefield.
Roger Marsh, chairman of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, said: “I am delighted that the LEP has succeeded once again in securing vital funding for our region. This is a step change in addressing the skills needs in the City Region and will help improve business competitiveness across our diverse growth sectors.
“This funding commitment confirms the trust government places in our City Region; recognising our achievements of creating more and better jobs for our residents and acknowledging our ambition to work collaboratively with employers to drive the skills agenda.”
