ENCOURAGING innovation and unlocking the finances to drive that forward will be a key part of D2N2’s Growth Plan.
Consultations have been taking place between D2N2 – the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – and business leaders, training providers and other key players in the private and public sector.
These continued at two Skills for Growth business events last week at the Derby Enterprise Centre to help shape the final Skills Plan.
The events were designed as an opportunity for the LEP to engage with businesses to help in the identification of the skills needed to support business growth.
And one of D2N2’s key strategic priorities to help drive economic growth is supporting innovation – through infrastructure, skills, research and finance.
Speaking in Derby, chairman Peter Richardson said: “This is the home of innovation. This is where it all really began. It is in our DNA. We want to release the finance to give them the confidence to make that next step and we have to be the conduit to finance.”
And Professor John Coyne, the Vice-chancellor at the University of Derby, added: “There has to be a willingness to be innovative and mould-breaking in order to get the right kind of solution. This is a high moment of opportunity and one we, as a region, do not want to squander.”
At the Derby event, the Skills Positioning Statement: Establishing D2N2’s Skills for Growth Strategy was published. To view, click here.
D2N2 has established a Skills Commission, chaired by Board Member Richard Horsley, to oversee the Skills Plan which is intended to drive the provision of adult skills to meet the needs of the local economy and labour market.
The Commission will build on existing close working between the three Employment and Skills Boards (ESBs) in the area and other stakeholders, including representatives of the Skills Funding Agency, Further Education Colleges and private training providers within the LEP.
The Skills Plan will all form part of D2N2’s Growth Plan, which will be launched at Pride Park Stadium, in Derby, on Tuesday July 9.
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