Skills and Enterprise Sub-Partnership

The Skills and Enterprise Sub-Partnership seeks to tackle the major skills, employment and economic issues that are important in the continued prosperity of West Berkshire.

It aims to ensure that West Berkshire remains a prosperous place, where business can thrive and where people have the skills they need to gain employment and succeed in the labour market.

The Skills and Enterprise Sub-Partnership came into being in June 2008. The key aims are to:

1. Improve skill levels
2. Take action to address worklessness
3. Reduce the impact of the economic downturn
4. Improve access to information on training & employment
5. Tackle persistent skills & employment issues in targeted communities

Further details on these key aims and what will be done to achieve them can be found in the  Skills and Enterprise Action Plan 2009-10

The Partnership brings together key bodies from across the public and private sectors, including:

• Newbury College
• Business Link
• The Learning and Skills Council
• Job Centre Plus
• The Federation of Small Businesses
• The Chamber of Commerce, and
• West Berkshire Council.

Although West Berkshire is better placed than many areas to weather the current recession, responding to the impact of the economic downturn will nevertheless be a major factor shaping the work of the Partnership. Help for local businesses in the economic downturn is available on the Dealing with the Economic Downturn webpages.

The Chairman of the Sub-Partnership and Principal of Newbury College, Anne Murdoch, stated that; "It is vital that local businesses have access to high quality support and advice and that people have the skills needed by employers. This will be crucial in helping the District through these difficult economic times. By bringing together key agencies involved in training, skills and economic development, along with local businesses, the Partnership will be able to provide a more co-ordinated and focused approach that will bring real benefits to local people and employers".

The Sub-Partnership is examining ways to engage with other groups and bodies involved in Skills and Enterprise.  Events will be organised in the Spring. Please monitor this site for further information.