BOSSES will spell out what help they want from Kirklees Council when they take part in a telephone survey over coming weeks.
More than 1,200 employers across the district – one in 10 of all local employers – will be asked what support they need to grow and create more jobs for local people.
In total, the survey, which gets under way on Monday, will contact 2,633 organisations across Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield areas. All sizes sectors of the local economy will be covered.
Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield councils have commissioned BMG Research to undertake the survey on their behalf.
In previous years, the employer survey has provided Kirklees with key information about the levels of confidence, investment intentions, employment prospects and turnover performance of local firms.
The 2011 survey found that two-thirds of firms saw a recovery in turnover over a 12-month period, with manufacturing and business services doing particularly well.
By contrast, the construction sector was continuing to struggle. The survey also reported that smaller firms had struggled more than larger ones.
The 2011 survey helped the council identify firms with skills gaps, who were then offered targeted support to address the issue.
The council also contacted firms which had expressed an interest in apprenticeships or advice about energy saving.
The 2013 survey will be followed by a similar exercise of targeted support and advice on a range of issues.
Businesses can find out more at www.kirklees.gov.uk/business/employersurvey.shtml
The results of the survey will be published in May
Clr Peter McBride, Kirklees cabinet member for iInvestment and regeneration, said: “The information we gather from this survey will help us to tailor our support and assistance to local businesses to help them grow and develop in Kirklees.”
