Plymouth is an amazing place to live and work and home to world leading, thriving businesses with high value jobs in manufacturing, marine and the defence sector as well as rapidly growing digital and health tech sectors. The city has seen significant regeneration, coupled with ongoing investment through Plymouth’s largest construction programme in 25 years and major initiatives such as the National Marine Park and the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport, that will generate up to a further 8,000 new jobs in the decade up to 2030.

 

Like all cities across the UK, the Covid-19 pandemic and exit from the EU has fundamentally changed the skills landscape. Skills gaps and skills shortages are evident across all sectors with many local employers struggling to attract, recruit and retain people with the right skills. 

 

We recognise that we do not have enough engineers, technicians, construction professionals and tradespeople, health care professionals, front line care workers, or hospitality and tourism workers, to meet the growing demand of our local businesses and key growth sectors. Employers report recruiting difficulties in these areas as a key constraint and the Covid-19 pandemic has created numerous challenges for businesses, individuals and communities. It has highlighted the inequalities that have existed in the city for many years and led to higher numbers of unemployment in young people aged under 25 and those aged over 50. In addition, we are also seeing significantly more unemployed people on health journeys as a direct impact of the pandemic. Now, more than ever, we need to ensure that no-one is left behind. 

 

For further information email SkillsLaunchpad@plymouth.gov.uk