The Role of Policy

1
The Role of Policy can regional policy really
make a difference?
2
The Regional Dimension

• GVA
• The average GVA per capita in London, the South
  East and East of England in 2003 was 33 above
  the average in the other six regions.
• The North East had the lowest GVA per head and
  was over 10 behind the next lowest region.
• Skills
• Proportion of working age population with degree
  level qualifications in 2004 almost 50 greater
  in the South East than the North East
• Proportion of working age population with no
  qualifications in 2004 was almost 70 higher in
  the North East and West Midlands than in the
  South East.

3
Regional Skills Partnerships

• RSPs should be the vehicle for ensuring that all
  adult skills, business support, labour market and
  productivity services available at regional,
  local and sectoral level are mobilised to support
  regional priorities (RSP specification)

4
Identifying employer demand

• How can RSPs identify key skills issues for their
  region?
• Identifying existing employer demand v. raising
  employer demand
• Working with Sector Skills Councils

5
Stimulating employer demand

• How can RSPs stimulate employer demand for
  skills?
• How can NETP encourage employers to invest in
  skills beyond NETP?
• How do we encourage employers to invest in skills
  and what should be the limits of public
  provision?
• How do we ensure raising skills is part of wider
  business strategies?

6
Responding to employer demand

• Do RSPs have the ability to shape supply to meet
  demand?
• Ensuring free/subsidised provision does not
  result in employers opting for sub-optimal
  training programmes
• What is the role of Higher Education
  Institutions?

7
Engaging individuals

• How send message to individuals about skills that
  employers want?
• What other initiatives required to attract
  skilled workers to the region?
• How raise aspirations of the hard-to-reach?

8
Co-ordinated action across different agencies

• Has been starting point for RSPs
• Agreement of joint priorities for region
• Joint planning
• Alignment of funding dual key?
• Joint action
• Any conflicts of interest?