Sector Development ::
USP document completed & forwarded for inclusion in the Fusion programme and to SW RDA in connection with inward investment review..
Completed Oct 2007
On going sector development work supported by Cornwall County Council.
Sector Networks re: Advanced engineering/aerospace, creative, environmental technologies, food & drink, ICT, marine, medical/health/biotech
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Conclusion of Objective One programme ends financial support for some sector groups. RDA Transition funding (approval pending) will permit forward-looking development work.
31/07/08
- Implementation of a fully cohesive approach to focussed support which recognises the sectors best-placed to understand need and appropriate delivery mechanisms. This will include the facilitation of early-stage development for new sector organisations.
- Provision of ongoing support for sector networks that have proven capabilities and/or identified potential with commitment to innovation, flexibility and responsiveness in developing models of sector support.
- Increase of knowledge exchanges between business sectors via a cross-sector approach, by creating and/or intensifying direct links with other western European economies (in Ireland, France and north-west Spain) and investing in activities which maintain a fixed locational advantage (e.g. those relating to culture, history and geography).
- The development and maintenance of links with regional/national sector networks to ensure alignment and adoption of best practice.
- Maximise the added value of the creative industries input to other sectors by fostering innovation and creativity in all sectors, and marketing this effectively to attract new business.
Lobbying for Fusion under the Convergence Programme.
Ongoing
None yet established
Completion of forward looking report on sector support structures by April 2009.
TBA
There are discussions underway with SW RDA as managers of Convergence Programme on value of sector support. Transition project will allow examination of value of sectors and future role/structures.
Transition project to run from July 2008 to April 2009.
- Facilitate the application of sector-specific knowledge and/or new technologies, whether product or service-driven. Take advantage of export opportunities through exploitation of the Cornwall brand and opportunities provided by European Denomination of Protected Origin schemes (e.g. Cornish clotted cream).
- Develop and offer sector specific skills training, including training on the application of new products or service technologies, and develop links with Sector Skills Academies. This action links with the Workforce Development Objective.
- Maximise the use of ICT within all businesses with the aim to get all businesses online. This action links with the Information Society for All Objective.
- Exploit the sector specific knowledge transfer expertise of relevant local, regional, national, and international HE institutions to the full commercial advantage of Cornwall's sectors and their constituent businesses.
Build on and integrate the sector development potential offered by the pilot incubation centres at the CUC in Tremough, Omega and the Cornwall Medipark, with opportunities to roll out additional developments in North and South East Cornwall. - Facilitate access to finance for businesses within key sectors where specific finance is warranted outside of generic finance models
- Fusion programme - ERDF convergence dependant.
- Sector Skills development plans in progress as outcome from LSC Co-fin Phase 7 programme.
ESF 3 year investments in 13 sectors under way
ESF ITTs announced and contracted ESF sectors with Learning Partnership on behalf of public, private and Voluntary and Community Sector.
Further ESF ITT announced (Phase 2) in May 2009 including Public Sectors and Rural sectors support
A total of £120,500 has been allocated specifically for ICT/Env Cross Sector from the Key Sectors project.
- Contracting 2 HE projects - Cornwall College lead with CUC. Widening participation in Higher skills training in HE (bitesize chunks)
- Planning to extend Higher Skills support by developing specification to target business performance indicators by delivering higher skills and leadership and management training.
- Enhanced support for business simplification by strengthening skills brokerage within Cornwall.
2008-2010
Convergence - ERDF & ESF
Total funding for Key Sectors project - £8.4 million
Company Training Needs Analysis - 1390
Participants with Learner Action Plan - 5,805
Participants achieving basic skills qualification - 445
Participants achieving full level 2 qualification - 1,494
Participants achieving full level 3/4 qualification - 332
Participants achieving other qualifications - 2,769
Number of new qualifications accredited - 13
Number of businesses engaged by SPRINGBOARD - 121
Transition project will examine relationships between ESF and potential ERDF streams and overall financial status of relevant sector groups.
02/10/08
Cornwall Pure Business - 115 investments, 618.5 new high value jobs, £30m new GDP @ 30 June
Ongoing - contract extended by GOSW to December 2008 match funded by CCC
108 businesses, 930 jobs, £27.9m GDP
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Inward investment is target activity under RES, Strategy & Action and Convergence OP
Need to implement successor programme under Convergence with no gap in activity.
CCC pressing SW RDA to accept proposal. Chair of CPB Steering Group meeting with SW RDA Convergence management.
This is a vital transformational activity for Cornwall as set out in the Convergence OP. The types of knowledge intensive businesses needed to create the New Cornwall economy are not simply going to happen of their own accord. They need to be attracted to the county via a concerted promotional and support programme.
- CADI - SC21 National pilot under way with 9 participants
Workshop day held in June with participation of sector primes (Airbus, BAe Systems, Rolls Royce, Augusta WWestland, General Dynamics) - Buy Cornish initiative complete and report issued to Rural Renaissance/SW RDA togther with recommendations for future activity requiring investment
Ongoing
Achievement of SC21 in due course
- A focus on quality improvements via training, investment and advice programmes.
- A major investment in ICT capacity in visitor information, marketing and booking systems.
- A major co-ordinated investment in marketing to new potential visitors, particularly those with higher spend rates and those that visit out of the main summer months, through a new programme, ‘Quality Cornwall', co-ordinated through the Cornwall Destination Management Organisation.