Auto sector skills survey

May 22, 2015

Business in the Marches involved in the automotive supply chain are being urged to support a new initiative to help identify sector skills issues.

The Automotive Industry Partnership (AIP) is conducting a survey of the sector which will support the roll-out of a new £30m scheme to address skills gaps, increase graduate recruitment and the number of apprenticeships on offer.

The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (MLEP) is supporting the call from the AIP, which includes employers such as Jaguar LandRover, Ford and BMW, with the sector aiming to recruit 10,000 apprentices and 2,000 graduates by 2018.

Gill Hamer, Director of the Marches LEP, said: “The automotive industry currently produces 1.6 million vehicles each year which is expected to rise to more than two million by 2017.

“This will have a positive impact on the many businesses in the Marches directly involved in the industry, with a number of Tier 1 and 2 suppliers based in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

“The sector needs to hear from businesses in the supply chain to understand what current and future jobs and skills shortages they have, so it can plan a strategic approach and prioritise future investment.”

The survey can be completed online or through face-to-face interview. To get involved, go to www.automotiveip.co.uk

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The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.

The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.

The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.

We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.

The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.

The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk

For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk

For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk

The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com

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