A NEW campaign to equip people with work skills for the future was launched in Huddersfield.
The Kirklees Skills Summit was launched at the Galpharm Stadium and was immediately backed by more than 100 agencies and organisations.
All want to see improvements in skills and training for the future.
The aim is to encourage local businesses to invest in the skills of their staff, through training.
The strategy, which is expected to run for the next few years, was developed for Kirklees Council by experts from Leeds Metropolitan University.
Delegates at the stadium meeting had the chance to discuss the strategy and ways in which they could work together to achieve results.
The firms were told of ways the council can help with skills training, and of grants available to subsidise training courses.
Clr Christine Stanfield, who is the cabinet member for regeneration, welcomed the new project.
She told delegates: The Labour Market and Skills Strategy is an important document which will help Kirklees Council and our partners to improve skills levels on the district.
“The strategy provides a strong focus and highlights long-term ambitions and aims linked to our vision for the economy of the future.
“The Skills summit is focusing on developing a practical action plan of activities and interventions aimed at achieving our overarching goal to raise skills levels across the district.”
Among high-profile speakers at the summit meeting were Ken Gillespie, Kirklees Council’s director of regeneration, and Margaret Coleman, the regional director of the Learning and Skills Council.
