Welcome from Mark Ryder

Hello and welcome to the November edition of Warwickshire Means Business.

In this edition we report the launch of an exciting two-pronged project, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, to support people to gain employment. Destination Work will deliver intensive employability and skills support to economically inactive people aged 25 and over while The Future Destination Hub offers bespoke careers guidance to 16-to-24-year-olds. Both are collaborative projects between county, district and borough councils designed to help people start or restart their careers, at the same time giving employers some of the skills they need. 

Maintaining a strong supply of skilled people is essential to keep Warwickshire’s economy strong. With that in mind, a new Careers, Employment and Skills Strategy for the county is being compiled. The views of businesses and employers will be integral to that strategy so please let us have your views.

Warwickshire Skills Hub is there to offer all aspects of employability and skills support and in this edition of WMB we hear how their advisors helped engineering firm Futuremotiv grow and recruit in Lighthorne. We also report the very successful launch of a series of Careers Insight Days. The first focused on the Digital Creative, Manufacturing, Automotive and Future Mobility sectors - other sectors will be covered in the New Year

Warwickshire Business Energy Advice Service continues to support businesses to become more energy-efficient and cost effective. Another round of the Coventry and Warwickshire Launchpad has just opened with £4.35million available to projects in the immersive and creative industries. We reveal how the Warwickshire Manufacturing Growth Programme has supported Bellagio Stone, in Leamington Spa, on their growth journey. And there are exciting things happening at the mill - Minerva Mill, in Alcester, where Rural Enterprise Development Officer, Vicky Griffith, is reaching out to small businesses and start-ups in the Alcester, Bidford and Studley area.

All this plus the customary comprehensive round ups of local News-in-Brief and Upcoming Events - and much more – in November’s WMB.

Mark