Employment

Unemployment is at its lowest level since 1975. In Camborne and Redruth, the number of claimants has nearly halved since 2010. We have a great deal to celebrate, but there is still more to do. I am clear that we must strive to continue to improve the support we offer to local people to help them back into work.

 

We must not underestimate the significance of apprenticeships and training. Cornwall College is the most successful provider of work based learning in the South West. Over a thousand apprentices are currently training in areas such as plumbing, carpentry and engineering. Last year, Ofsted praised the college as a catalyst for improving skills in Cornwall.

 

Just last week, I visited Focus Training. Focus Training is an independent training provider offering apprenticeships in specialist high skilled subjects in Cornwall and across the south west. It specialises in delivering electrical training and also gas, heating, plumbing and ventilation. It is just completing the doubling in size of its training facilities and workshops at its Redruth site. This is good news for our local area.

 

For too long, many of our brightest young people would leave Cornwall in search of new work opportunities. Now, as we continue to attract new industries and skilled jobs to Cornwall, it is vital that we continue to develop skills so that young people can take advantage of the new opportunities being created. As new companies arrive I want to see them become successful and profitable enough to offer higher wages so that we encourage people to take work and stay in work.

Superfast broadband brings a lot of opportunities. We are already beginning to feel the benefits, with software companies like Headforwards, Blue Fruit and LumiraDx growing in our area. Innovation centres at Pool and Tremough play an important role in incubating new start-ups.  Proposals for a new fibre park in Pool to bring together software companies and training from Cornwall College to create opportunities for local school leavers could take things to the next level.  We have the chance to really put Cornwall on the map in this sector.

 

Economic regeneration and job creation have always been two of my top priorities. The Kresen Kernow archive project is progressing, the development of South Quay signals good news for the local economy, the East-West link road is unlocking Tuckingmill for development and facilities like the Pool Innovation Centre and Barncoose Gateway have attracted new businesses and start-ups to the area.

Also this week, I read that the President of the Camborne and Redruth District Lions Club, Paul Bray, announced that the club had raised over £10,000 for charity in the last year. I would like to pass on my warmest congratulations to all of those involved. The Lions Club is one of a number of local community groups that do a huge amount for our local area. It is important that we recognise their role.