Skills and Economic Development

In the classification of 'Business and Skills Development' we applied for 'Leader+' funding to enable us to appoint a Skills and Economy Officer for Dawlish, and thus lead on a group of projects. Our application was successful and in August 2006 we appointed Suzy Wright for a two-year programme. She is supported by Heidi Broom in an administrative capacity. The projects draw in other proposals in 'Business and Skills Development' and 'Developing integrated tourism'. The original project aims are amended to show current aims and lead bodies.

(E1) Skills and Economy Officer (DCT Action)

Purpose of the project

To increase the level of employment and investment in the local economy by ensuring that the workforce is well trained, and that existing, expanding and inward investing companies have the best kind of advice and assistance.

DCT has appointed a 'skills and economy professional' who is acting as a catalyst to draw together the training and economic groups for the Dawlish and Dawlish Warren economies, ensuring that the best and most appropriate training and advice is available to companies and employees.

Champion

Dawlish Community Trust

Funding

Teignbridge Rural Regeneration Partnership, Leader+, Devon County Council, Teignbridge District Council, Dawlish Town Council, Dawlish Community Trust

(E2) Skills audit (DCT Action)

Purpose of the project

To ensure the best 'fit' between the skills available in the local workforce and the needs of local employers.

In November 2006 DCT joined with Teignmouth Community Development Trust (TCDT) and commissioned Talk Training of Teignmouth to conduct a survey of the skills needs of local businesses and the individual needs of those seeking employment, with individual reports to Dawlish and to Teignmouth. The results of this work will help to inform the type of skills and other training to be made available. The outcome feeds directly into the work of the Skills and Economy Officer (E1) above.

The Skills Audit was delivered by mid-summer 2007 and launched in collaboration with DCT office.

One of the first projects addressed training needs identified in the audit and a number of courses have already been arranged with local training agencies including Dawlish Community College to enable a start to be made on training. 30 training places have so far been filled with over 150 still pending. The following projects have been advanced to roll on from the audit:

Champion

Dawlish Community Trust, Teignmouth Community Development Trust

Funding

South West Regional Development Agency, Teignbridge District Council

(E3) Basic skills and 'into work' courses (DCT Action)

Purpose of the project

To ensure that the local workforce has the right skills and training to allow them to compete successfully for the kinds of employment opportunities likely to become available in the local economy.

DCT is working with Dawlish Community College, other colleges and training agencies to offer basic skills and into-work courses at a local level, tailored to suit the individual and targeted at filling existing training gaps in the work force. The project will equip trainees to exploit future employment and personal development opportunities by providing them with basic skills training and back-to-work qualifications. It will identify the types of skills required, particularly in the private sector, and will seek to promote a positive attitude towards skills training within companies.

As a result of the audit and our close links with the College, it is offering free courses in basic literacy and numeracy as well as ICT and computing courses, food hygiene and others. Links with the Devon Tourism and Skills Network have enabled us to offer free customer service and complaint handling courses, a need highlighted in the report.

Champion

Dawlish Community Trust

Funding

Dawlish Community College's specialist technology fund, Devon Tourism and Skills Network

(E4) Work placements/modern apprenticeships and skill development (DCT Action)

Purpose of the project

To enhance the employment prospects of local young people entering, or about to enter the labour market for the first time.

DCT is working with training agencies and local schools to provide additional improved skills provision to young people leaving, or about to leave school. These will include vocational school programmes, work placements, modern apprenticeship and skills development at a local level. DCT is working with Teignmouth Community Association (TCA) and Talk Training to explore the possibilities of extending some of the initiatives currently taking place in Teignmouth to Dawlish. These include an Entry to Employment scheme (E2E) and ASDAN qualifications (non-formal qualifications aimed at engaging young people to develop a range of skills). In addition, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has set aside £41,000 to be spent across Teignmouth and Dawlish as a direct result of the audits. DCT is working with Dawlish Community College to strengthen its Personalised Learning Centre, assisting students with a more vocational form of learning.

Champion

Dawlish Community Trust

Funding

Devon County Council, Learning and Skills Council

(E5) Create an environment for learning in the business community (Influence)

Purpose of the project

To foster a positive attitude towards skills training within the local workforce and business community.

DCT is working with Talk Training and TCA to promote the availability and benefits of training. Promoting training through the results of the skills' audit, DCT is seeking to assist local businesses to improve their levels of skills through a series of training initiatives, including linking with the Devon Tourism and Skills Network to provide free NCFE qualifications in Customer Service for Tourism and Hospitality industries.

Champion

Teignmouth Council Association, Dawlish Community Trust

Funding

Devon Tourism and Skills Network

(E6) Develop a Learning Business Centre (Influence)

Purpose of the project

To increase employers' and the workforce's appreciation of the availability and value of training and to do this locally.

DCT is working with Talk Training and TCA to establish the feasibility of setting up and running a local Learning Business Centre. There is no central training facility in Dawlish and DCT is working with Dawlish Action for Youth to determine whether a training facility can be incorporated in the new multi-use youth centre building proposed at Sandy Lane. DCT will work with TCA to ensure that the Bungalow at Churchill Avenue continues to meet the needs of the community.

Champion

Teignmouth Community Association/Dawlish Community Trust

(E7) Increase the capacity of the voluntary and community sector (Influence)

Purpose of the project

To support the economic regeneration of the Dawlish area by providing support to community businesses and social enterprises, to encourage new community businesses and social enterprises to be created, to improve their performance and increase employment in existing businesses.

DCT is working with Teignbridge District Council (TDC) and local community businesses and social enterprises to provide advice on marketing, business planning, accommodation and training.

Champion

Teignmouth Community Association, Talk Training

(E8) Utilise available development land for employment (Influence)

Purpose of the project

To increase the level of business investment in the area including the number and quality of employment opportunities and the number and quality of companies.

DCT is working with TDC and the private sector to ensure that land designated for employment is developed for employment purposes only. DCT will seek to ensure that priority is given to quality developments which will be targeted at attracting high quality inward investing companies which provide substantial levels of employment.

Champion

Teignbridge District Council

(E9) Dawlish Business Park renewal (Influence)

Purpose of the project

To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of companies located on Dawlish Business Park (formerly Shutterton Industrial Estate) by upgrading the layout and environment of the estate and solving its environmental problems.

DCT is working with developers, the companies on the estate and TDC to promote the regeneration of Shutterton Industrial Estate. This strategy will provide solutions to the inadequate drainage, the poor quality of road surfaces, the need to prevent methane gas build up, the need for additional parking and storage, and the poor condition of some of the existing building and landscaping.

Champion

Teignbridge District Council

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Dawlish Community Trust, Room 7, The Manor House, Old Town Street, Dawlish, Devon, EX7 9AP :: Telephone (01626) 866803