The Inclusive Growth Strategy builds on the St Helens Together ethos, which provided so much support for those in need during Covid-19, to help the borough succeed through the current cost of living crisis and into the future by greater cooperation between businesses, organisations and communities.

One key strand of the strategy is a St Helens Borough Skills Pledge which will give young people and adults a clear route to good quality jobs including increased visibility of opportunities, access to qualifications like apprenticeships, T-Levels, a refreshed schools and business programme and a retraining offer for adults. Other projects include a Flexi-Apprenticeship Programme where people looking to retrain can work as an apprentice on a three-month placement in different organisations.

Councillor Kate Groucutt, Cabinet Member for Business, Economy and Skills, said: “St Helens Borough is seeing major investment in the region of £500m through projects such as the Earlestown and St Helens town centre regeneration programmes, Parkside and Omega. This strategy sets in place the tools to maximise the opportunities for our residents and businesses by focusing on skills to work in the industries that will be making our borough their home. Thanks to the review by councillors alongside our public consultation we recognise the need to start that skills work with young people at school and have put additional mechanisms in place to link career opportunities into their learning.

“Inclusive growth means that everyone benefits from our plans to build our economy and takes a universal view on the connections between the opportunities for residents and businesses for quality jobs and chances to support supply chains through work with skills, business networks and much more.”

You can read the full strategy online at Strategy and Policy