Funding will support council’s Levelling Up work by boosting businesses and increasing opportunities available for residents to learn new, life-changing skills.
An extra £10 million to support skills and training for residents and boost the county’s economy has been announced by Essex County Council.
The funding, to be invested over the next four years, was announced at Anglia Ruskin University’s Arise Innovation Hub in Harlow and will be supported by the development of a new Sector Development Strategy for Essex.
Developed with partners and input from more than 600 Essex businesses, the strategy will focus on the opportunities for growth across the county when it is published later this Spring.
It will set out plans to make Harlow a centre for med tech and digital, whilst also helping to deliver on ECC’s commitment for a carbon net zero county and to a green economy.
Projects announced at the roadshow include launching a new pilot Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Skills Engine bringing together advice, training, apprenticeships, and business support across Harlow.
Launching later this year, the programme will be focused at 16–24-year-olds and working aged adults.
Working with schools, training providers, Harlow District Council and employers, the programme will deliver a bespoke Apprenticeship programme with a target of placing 50 local young people in Level 2, 3 and 4 STEAM apprenticeships per year.
ECC is also working with Harlow College, Harlow District Council and local automotive employers to create a new Electric Vehicle Centre at Harlow College.
Set to open in August, it will provide free upskilling courses for 50 Automotive Technicians over the next two years and host community workshops to help electric vehicle owners to understand more about their vehicle.
These projects will be complimented by existing funding already secured for Harlow – £23.7m from the Towns Fund and £1.78m from Community Renewal Fund – and developments like the town’s flourishing Enterprise Zone and the new Arise Innovation Hub, funded by ECC and Anglia Ruskin University, which will formally open in March.
ECC is also showcasing the county’s innovative businesses, in Harlow and beyond, with the launch of the council’s Extraordinary Business video.
Cllr Lesley Wagland OBE, Cabinet Member for Economic Renewal, Infrastructure and Planning, said: “This £10m additional funding announced today underlines our commitment to a dynamic and thriving economy, driven by our amazing local businesses. Our businesses are the life blood of our economy, providing jobs to local people.
“Harlow is on the cusp of a transformational moment and additional investment from us, and our partners, will play a key role in Levelling Up this part of the county. We are committed to supporting existing local businesses to thrive, attracting new businesses to Harlow bringing more jobs, and developing the innovation ecosystem that is already growing in this part of Essex.”
Harlow & Gilston Garden Town Director, Naisha Polaine, added: “The Garden Town’s five council partnership has always recognised Harlow’s ambition and capability to support significant economic growth in the region and now we’re starting to see these discussions turn to delivery with this fantastic funding news from Essex County Council.
“There are great times on the horizon for Harlow and the local area as we move closer to the construction phase of the Garden Town.
“This is a major spoke in the wheel that will help Harlow Council achieve their hopes of making the town a great place to raise your family, send your children to school and start a business.”
More information about the plans for Levelling Up Essex is available by clicking here.