Businesses pledge to use local skills and trade in Bournemouth

Posted: 7/03/2012 at 12:07pm

‘Local people and businesses will be at the heart of future developments in Bournemouth.’

That’s the pledge from Bournemouth Borough Council and Job Centre Plus who have set a Local Employment & Skills agreement for the town.

Keeping jobs and trade local is a key priority for Bournemouth Borough Council and this week that promise was shared as The Bournemouth Development Company became the first business to sign up to the voluntary agreement.

Covering construction, recruitment processes and community engagement; businesses signing up to the agreement will work with Bournemouth Borough Council and Job Centre Plus to:

• Employ direct labour locally
•  Hire machinery and operators from local plant hire firms
• Assist young people into work
• Provide a reasonable and consistent recruitment process through Jobcentre Plus
• Encourage specialist job skills training
• Offer a number of work experience placements
• Encourage local subcontractors to become part of a group training association;
• Promote community engagement activities

Tony Williams, Chief Executive of Bournemouth Borough Council, said: “I am delighted that The Bournemouth Development Company has signed up to the Local Employment & Skills agreement.  In such challenging economic times those seeking employment, in particular young jobseekers, must have every opportunity to develop their skills and gain a
vital foothold in employment.  This voluntary agreement is our commitment to the residents and businesses of Bournemouth that wherever possible we will do our utmost to ensure big companies employ direct labour locally and use the services of local businesses.”

The Bournemouth Development Company is a partnership between Bournemouth Borough Council and Morgan Sindall Investments Ltd, established to help regenerate the town centre.  Numerous sites have been identified and projects will bring new homes, business and retail space, attractions and improvements to public spaces.

David McArthur, Wessex Account Manager of Job Centre Plus, said: “This agreement is part of a wide range of positive partnerships with employers across Dorset and the South West, and we welcome the full range of job opportunities being created. Harnessing
talent in the local area can only be beneficial to the construction industry as a whole in Bournemouth.”

Duncan Johnston, of The Bournemouth Development Company, said: “As a company established to regenerate Bournemouth Town Centre, we’re determined to create wider economic and social benefits for the area by working with Dorset’s talented business community. Among the services we already enlist from local companies are architecture, planning, accountancy, communications and web design and we look forward to recruiting more local talent and exploring opportunities for apprenticeships as our first projects get
underway.”

Morgan Sindall Investments Ltd is a part of the Morgan Sindall Group, which also include Morgan Sindall Construction Ltd and Lovell Partnerships Limited, both of which have also signed up to the pledge. Morgan Sindall Construction Ltd is currently leading a major refurbishment of King’s Park Primary School.