A PLAN has been launched to ensure York's skills and employment offer evolves as the city continues to recover from coronavirus.

York’s Skills and Employment Board was created in response to the emerging impact of the pandemic on the city’s economy, and has created a one-year skills strategy.

'Skills for employment in York’ builds on the board's partnership work, and activities developed over the last 18 months to help people and businesses through change.

The plan has been devised by partners from York’s Skills and Employment Board, which includes representatives from further and higher education, private sector training providers, employers, employee and business representatives, and the council.

It sets out five commitments, recognising that York's existing skills and employment opportunities must evolve to be able to continue to help people through change, as national restrictions ease.

These include providing skills support for people joining, re-entering or displaced from the workplace to re-train or upskill and connect them with good jobs in sustainable and growth sectors.

The plan aims to support businesses of all sizes to access national, regional and local skills support and training to help them plan, diversify and grow.

Partners will make the most of initiatives and adapt skills provision in response to emerging needs.

The plan will also support people's progression from education to employment and self-employment through a culture of lifelong learning and entrepreneurship.

The plan also involves developing a strong marketing and communications strategy to ensure information and advice is shared in a timely and effective way.

Lee Probert, board chair, and chief executive and principal of York College, said: “This plan is the first step in ensuring our communities and businesses have the support they deserve as we emerge from the pandemic.

"Our next step is to deliver a ten-year plan, putting skills and employment at the heart of the work we do as partners.”

Cllr Andrew Waller, executive member for economy and strategic planning, at York council, said: “This plan forms the first stage of a continuing ten-year strategy to support the city, its residents and businesses, to respond to the needs for immediate recovery, and then planning ahead for new opportunities as the economy changes.

“By working together to identify what skills local businesses need in the changing market, we can help to increase employment opportunities in the city and ensure that we have the local skill-set available to support sustained employment and emerging green jobs.”

For more information on the one year Adult Learning and Skills Strategy visit www.york.gov.uk/YorkSkillsPlan