North East Automotive Alliances secures £3.3m funding to help people into jobs
Summary
The projects aim to reach at least 200 people in South Tyneside and Sunderland, including placements in advanced manufacturing jobs and more than 20 technical apprenticeships.The \xa31.9m Training For Growth pilot, which has been financed from Sunderland City Councils Shared Prosperity funding, will see NEAA working with Education Partnership North East, the parent body of Sunderland College, to boost the number of Level 3 technical apprenticeships in the city. The \xa31.4m Inclusivity Pilot in Advanced Manufacturing, South Tyneside (IPAM-ST), funded by South Tyneside Council, will help people in the area who are economically inactive, unemployed, or not in education, employment, or training to get skills needed to get a job in advanced manufacturing.Read more: Management buyout at Sunderland mechanical and electrical engineering firm OwbenGo here for more North East business newsNEAA chief executive Paul Butler said: The region has many outstanding manufacturing companies, who are contributing enormously to the local economy, not least by the creation of many thousands of high-quality jobs. However, the biggest potential barrier to continued success, is the regular supply of a skilled workforce. Both of the projects we are now facilitating, in conjunction with key partners and stakeholders, will play an important part in filling that gap and, more significantly, providing a real opportunity for people that have been unemployed for some time, to step forward and rebuild their lives through new skills and training.The Training for Growth scheme will provide financial support to SMEs who take on technical apprentices to help cover those companies costs. It comes after North East Local Skills Improvement Plan highlighted the need to address a shortage of engineering technicians in Sunderland and the wider North East region, particularly within advanced manufacturing and net-zero technologies.Coun Kevin Johnston, cabinet member for housing, regeneration and business at Sunderland City Council, said: Thousands of jobs are set to be created across the city over the coming years as our economy continues to diversify and grow, and initiatives such as Training for Growth will be key to ensuring we capitalise on this.By working closely with the business community, we will not only be able to identify the skills and knowledge gaps within the workforce that are required to fill the roles, but also provide the training and opportunities to help upskill residents and get more people into work.Coun Margaret Meling, South Tyneside Council lead member for economic growth and transport, said: Connecting residents to jobs and skills is one of the councils five ambitions and enabling the long-term unemployed and economically inactive to access opportunities in the green economy, is central to that.We know that South Tyneside and our region is right at the forefront of advanced manufacturing, automotive and engineering and its vital that we nurture our workforce and equip people with the right skills so they can capitalise on these opportunities.