Welcome to the South West region!
Projects in this region are indicated by a ‘Tick’ symbol on the Google map above. Click on the icon to see the name and a brief description of the project. The map’s regions are sourced from 1998 Government Office Regions of England, as produced by the Office of National Statistics Mapping Unit in 2003.
| Facts and figures | ||
|---|---|---|
| South West | UK | |
| Population | 5.1m | 60.5m |
| Productivity (GVA per hour worked) | 96.7 | 100 |
| Employment rate as % of working population (GVA per hour worked) | 78.5 | 74.4 |
| Skills levels: % of economically active adults qualified to L4 | 29.9 | 31.1 |
| Enterprise: no. of VAT start ups / 10K population | 37 | 37 |
Regional focus
The economic and employment landscape
Compared to the national picture, the South West has a number of key strengths. It has a skilled workforce and a strong enterprise culture, with higher than average levels of participation among women, BME individuals, and older workers. However, there are still significant numbers of individuals without qualifications, and while participation among disadvantaged groups is still lower than that of the South West population generally.
The region is also home to a significant inactive population. The region’s business base is characterised by very small businesses in the lower value-added sectors, among which there is often limited demand for higher skilled labour and employment is more likely to be part-time and low paid.
Skills and productivity
Substantial skills gaps persist among older workers, and among the 16-19 age group. Establishments employing less than 25 people account for 71% of skills shortage vacancies, despite employing 35% of the region’s workforce. The South West exhibits low levels of productivity. In part this is explained by the region’s industrial structure, but it also reflects an under-utilisation of the region’s workforce potential rather than lack of qualifications. It suggests investment in leadership and management skills as the most effective means of improving skills utilisation and productivity. The following issues have been identified as priorities for the South West ESF Framework:
- Worklessness/inactivity within disadvantaged groups and communities, and increasingly for young people
- Participation in learning by young people
- The significant proportion of under-qualified adults
- The harnessing of skills through the provision of leadership and management training to improve productivity
- Skills for Life in all groups.
People with disabilities and health conditions
Bristol's TATE - Through Assistive Technology to Employment - project used electronic assistive technology (EAT) and telecare to empower individuals with learning disabilities, and their carers, and enhance their employability. This DVD clip gives examples of how EAT supports people with learning disabilities at home and in the workplace.
Related initiatives from the Equal programme UK wide
The TyneWear Employability Development Partnership supported a group of men and women with learning difficulties who have started their own theatre company. The company produced a 'Making it happen' DVD which includes a 10 step guide for others who wish to establish/start a similar company/project.
Target group: Adapablity to work
The Cornwall Inclusive Learning Partnership (CILP) project worked to find new ways of re-engaging disadvantaged groups with learning and earning in an area where employment choices are limited. The project produced a mentor’s guide for those working with parents, e.g. in a children's centre, pre-school nursery or voluntary group.
