Employers pledge commitment to Northumberland's workforce of the future

County's employers pledge to invest in Northumberland’s workforce of the future

Northumberland employers are joining forces to invest in the county’s talent pipeline – and they are inviting more organisations to join them.
  
The ‘21st Century Workforce for Northumberland’ project, funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering, will futureproof the county to match skills with the needs of industry and super-charge the county’s talent pool. 
 
Almost 40 cross-sector organisations have signed up so far, including Tharsus, Egger, AkzoNobel, Bernicia, Osbit, Northumbrian Water Group, Northumbria Police and Northumberland County Council. 
 
Representatives from the organisations met at an event hosted by the County Council to kick off the project by pledging their support, listening to experts, and brainstorming ideas.  
 
Driving the project is Brian Palmer, founder of Blyth-based engineering business Tharsus, who is joined on the project steering group by Audrey Kingham, Director of Children's Services, Northumberland County Council; Ian Ritchey, Fellow, Royal Academy of Engineering and Caroline Theobald CBE, Founder, Bridge Club Ltd.  
 
He said: “I am delighted by the enthusiasm and support for this project. Expanding our work-ready talent pool is vital if we are to attract new businesses to Northumberland.  
 
As employers, we need to invest in our workforces and by doing that together, we can all benefit the place that we love and share." 
 
The first phase of the project will be to deliver staff training in digital, leadership and business skills. 
 
A unique feature will be that a cross-sector of employees will learn together and experience the nature and challenges of different Northumberland-based businesses and organisations.  
 
Cllr Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council, added: “This is a very exciting project that the Council is proud to be a part of.
  
We have world-class organisations here in Northumberland and by working together we can plan for the future, invest in our people and create rewarding careers for our residents for generations to come.”   
 
To find out more about the pilot and to get involved, contact Bridge Club at zoe@bridgeclubnorth.com. 
 
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