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<p>The Government has invited all Mayoral Combined Authorities and Local Enterprise
Partnerships (LEPs) in England to develop Local Industrial Strategies. We aim to agree
these with all places by early 2020. For Kent, the South East LEP will set out an
ambitious long-term vision for the area to increase its productivity, build on its
established strengths, and create new opportunities for people and businesses in emerging
sectors and industries.</p><p> </p><p>The government know that regions across the
UK have different skills needs, so will build on local strengths to deliver opportunities
for people wherever they live. One way we will achieve this is through Skills Advisory
Panels which bring together local employers and skills providers to pool knowledge
on skills and labour market needs and work together to understand and address key
local challenges. These Panels will be led by the Local Enterprise Partnership, and
will influence Local Industrial Strategy development.</p><p> </p><p>In Kent, and the
wider South East LEP area, the government is working in partnership with local business
and civic leaders to grow skills and opportunities for workers across the area by:</p><p>-
Delivering an increase of 198,900 jobs since 2010 and 31,080 apprenticeship starts
last year.</p><p>- Investing £590 million of Growth Deal funding to the South East
LEP since 2014. delivering 78,000 jobs, 29,000 homes and attracting a further £960
million extra investment into the South East, including £22 million spent on 29 skills
projects.</p><p>- Investing £6.5 million for the Kent and Medway EDGE Hub. .</p><p>-
Backing the Innovation Park Medway, within the Kent Enterprise Zone with £4.4 million
funding to help attract high quality technology, engineering and manufacturing companies
to the area.</p><p>Supporting the Local Enterprise Partnership’s Kent and Medway Growth
Hub to help small and medium sized enterprises in the areas access the support they
need to grow and thrive.</p>
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