West at Work is a partnership project that supports the local economy by coordinating and developing employment and skills activity across the West of England.
Working with other public sector partners and private industry, we ensure that employment and training support is specifically developed to meet local needs and respond to economic changes. Support includes work with local businesses and particular sectors, supporting training and advice for jobseekers and promoting opportunities to increase skill levels across the area.
The project is run by the West of England Partnership (WEP) and its work is directed by the Skills and Competitiveness Board.
Our priorities are:
•To work with public sector agencies and their providers to deliver a coordinated and effective recruitment and training service to local employers
•To work with partners to increase the number of people starting level 2 (GCSE or equivalent) and level 3 (A Level or equivalent) training courses
•To develop a recruitment/redeployment and training programme that can be delivered in response to large scale redundancies
•To develop a recruitment and training programme that supports employers looking for higher level skills (L3-5)
•To work strategically to develop, support and deliver partnership plans aimed at reducing worklessness within the hardest to reach groups and move individuals into sustainable jobs
West at Work/WEP's partner organisations include the South West Regional Development Agency, Jobcentre Plus, Business Link, Connexions, Nextstep, Bath and North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council, South Gloucestershire Council, ACAS, South West TUC, City of Bristol College (representing all local training providers), UWE Bristol and Government Office South West.
To find out more about the West at Work project visit the sections below.
The West at Work project concentrates on the industry sectors listed below.
Growth Sectors
- Biotechnology
- Advanced Engineering (inc Aerospace)
- Tourism
- Creative Industries
- Banking
- Legal & Finance
- ICT
- Environmental Technology
Volume Sectors
- Retail
- Distribution
- Care
- Construction
- Public Sector
Regjular communication with senior industry leaders helps identify the main barriers to economic development within key sectors. Our work aims to promote initiatives across the partnership and develop practical solutions for future growth.
West at Work develops and promotes programmes through partnership organisations that are aimed at ensuring that local people have the necessary skills to work in growth areas and boost future growth.
Skills Centre South West
Public Sector Compact
The Public Sector Compact has recently been widened to include the four local authorities in the area, Bristol Primary Care Trust, Police, Fire and Probabtion services. This group has a cross public sector approach to deliveringeach organisation'sskills strategy,achieving the Skills Pledge and identifying common skills shortages, gaps and priorities. The first meeting was held in July 2010.
