Great Yarmouth's new plan for skills and training to boost jobs and drive economic growth

The new strategy has been developed in close partnership with the multi-agency Great Yarmouth Skills Taskforce, which includes educators, providers, business organisations and community organisations.

The Taskforce was set up to help co-ordinate access to skills, qualifications and support for residents of all ages and all levels of attainment, helping them to prosper in the labour market.

The council and Taskforce's shared ambition is to create an environment in which people of all ages and backgrounds can flourish and reach their full potential. Great Yarmouth's communities and employers are at the heart of a series of investments designed to foster a vibrant and inclusive coastal economy that builds upon successes and strengths, capitalises upon the borough's culture and responds effectively to new challenges.

Councillor Daniel Candon, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's portfolio holder for Economic Development and Growth, said: ''It is essential our residents can access the skills and qualifications that employers need. These requirements are changing as the wider economy and the way we do business changes, opening up new skills gaps and new opportunities for people.

''Raising aspirations, supporting local business and attracting new ones, with a skilled workforce is central to sustained economic growth and a strong employment market, with local people able to secure - and progress in - good jobs.''

The new strategy is a collaborative, action-based framework for the council, its partners, providers and employers to develop new projects and services that meet three strategic priorities that emerged from an extensive stakeholder dialogue - nurturing local aspiration and ambition; ensuring that our skills and employability system is fit for purpose; and tackling inequalities and barriers to skills and employment.

It will complement co-ordinated public investment in local skills - including Government Future High Streets and Town Deal funding being invested in The Place at the former Palmers department store, which is due to open next year and will see Great Yarmouth become a university town.

£280,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Funding is also being invested in three local projects providing employment support for economically inactive residents, support for people further from the labour market and tailored support for those already in employment.

Rachel Bunn, a director at East Coast College which has partnered with the council to deliver one of the projects said, "East Coast College is looking forward delivering a new project supporting employed residents to continue in their professional development in aspects such as digital skills, English as a Second Language and customer service skills".

Councillor Candon said: ''The council and the Skills Taskforce are determined to help create an environment where all of our residents can achieve the skills and qualifications they need to match their aspirations. We have a huge opportunity across a wide range of sectors - including the offshore energy industry, tourism, hospitality and much more, and it is vital that businesses and residents are well placed to access those opportunities.''