Investment urged on skills gap
The West Midlands needs to spend tens of billions of pounds improving the skills of its workers, from shop-floor staff to top-level managers, if it is to catch up with the rest of the country, according to the latest research.
The skills problem has been highlighted as the single biggest problem facing the region following months of consultation into the future of its economy.
Since the start of this year the regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands, has toured the area seeking the opinions of local people, councils and business leaders.
The events form part of the consultation for the West Midlands Economic Strategy, mapping out the region's future in terms of jobs, transport, skills and other key issues, to be published in the autumn.
Research has identified that the West Midlands has a £10billion gap in economic performance compared to the rest of Britain.
AWM chief executive John Edwards said today: "So far the response to our consultation and our detailed research has pointed overwhelmingly in one direction – skills."
Consultation events to discuss the draft strategy are being held at the Dunstall Conference Centre, Wolverhampton, on May 21 and Swinfen Hall Hotel, near Lichfield, on June 5.
