Category: Economy

Summary of SevernNet Business Breakfast – 26th Nov. 20 Thanks to everyone who participated. It was a very interesting and informative event and good to see the investments being made in business support and improving skills. Avonmouth Ward C19 Task Force Invitation The Avonmouth Ward are seeing high levels of infection and Bristol City Council’s Public Health is working with the local community to set up a localised approach to outbreak management. Businesses are invited to participate in a Zoom meeting on Tues 1st December at 13:30. More information here. Regional Recovery Fund – Increasing support for businesses and residents WECA’s Director of Business & Skills, Stephen Bashford, provided a clear overview of the various support mechanisms available for businesses and the various skills and training programmes. We encourage you to have a look and share within your businesses and communities, and where relevant, with colleagues who might benefit from the skills opportunities. Stephens’s presentation is available here, and a summary document here. You can keep up to date with the latest news from WECA and the West of England LEP by signing up here. Career College and Logistics Simon Arnold, Managing Director of Partners in Bristol at City of Bristol College introduced the Career College for Logistics. This collaboration between seven colleges in the UK and STC college in Rotterdam is aiming to address the lack of ambition and knowledge young people have about the career opportunities in the logistics sector. Providing a vehicle to bring new talent into logistics, each college will offer new Level 2 and 3 qualifications in Logistics and International Supply Chain Management. Find out more here. Ways2Work and the new One Front Door Chris Mitchell (Employer Account Officer, Bristol City Council) explained the changes introduced to Ways2Work to enable a greater focus on supporting individuals seeking work as well as support to employers. Schemes include Move in and Move Up to support the homeless, One Front Door which provides more intense support for individuals, an easier way for SMEs to access Kickstart and ‘WE WORK for Everyone’ which is a scheme for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). You can find out more from the presentation available here. Skilling up for high value green industry careers Mark Pepper, Development Manager at Ambition Lawrence Weston shared an update on delivering the Lawrence Weston Community Plan. Significant progress is being made including: Planning permission gained for a community owned on-shore wind turbine in Avonmouth which, when completed, will deliver renewable energy and sustainable income to the communityFacilitating more affordable and good quality homes to be built and working with Housing Associations etc.Finalising plans for a £1.7m Community Hub including training facilities and workshopsAddressing the massive skills gap in the area The ambition is to introduce a sector based academy that can deliver the skills needed for local people to develop careers in the renewables sector and in the developing field of MMC (Modern Methods of Construction). Discussion and conclusions An interesting discussion followed including: Steven King from Kings Heavy Haulage shared the benefits they have gained from training up young people who can then progress through the business.The need for communication to be improved around the various schemes within the business and residential communities was raised and noted by WECA.Sam Marsh (Severn Ride&Stride) noted that e-bikes/bikes were available to help people get to work across the area and other support is available. More here.SevernNet is organising an Economy, Employment and Skills Forum for December/January to bring stakeholders together from across the area. There is an opportunity to progress the SevernNet area (Portbury, Avonmouth, Severnside) Skills Academy concept to benefit businesses, local people and training providers.More information on skills, employment and business support will also be provided on SevernNet website. Road Safety Campaign and ‘No Need to Speed’ Neil Stradling, Avon Fire & Rescue emphasised the message from last weeks Road Safety week campaign. ‘No Need to Speed’. Please share this within your businesses and organisations. Next Business Breakfast Next Business Breakfast will be on Jan 28th 2021. SevernNet wish everyone all the best for what remains of 2020 and a better, we hope, 2021.