DESPITE savage spending cuts countywide Essex County Council has announced an �8.5million boost for skills and innovation projects.
The cash has been secured via Government and European funding – the most recent being a �371,000 investment for extra apprenticeship places for female engineers.
ECC deputy leader Kevin Bentley has welcomed the news. “This is a wonderful example of how ECC is rising to the funding challenge by seeking new ways of working and offsetting the financial squeeze,” he said.
“A small team of people have secured a considerable amount of money which will be wisely invested for the benefit of Essex residents, businesses and young people.”
With the future prosperity of the county hinging on skill development and support for business innovation and entrepreneurialism, the council has said that it is keen to ensure that it secure a significant share of the multi-million pot of funding available.
Previous successful applications have delivered funding for a new supply chain innovation programme and the impressive Engineering and Manufacturing in Essex Apprentice scheme which has seen 75 of the 106 apprentices secure full time employment – most progressing to level two and three apprenticeship qualifications, and another 21 opting for further education courses.
WHAT do you think? E-mail nick.thompson@archant.co.uk
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