We need to increase overall growth in the local economy, to support local businesses, to provide more quality sites for new development, to create more good jobs and to ensure sustainability for the future.
At present
- Only 17% of the working population is qualified to NVQ4 or above.
- Too few jobs offer advancement or prospects.
- Too many jobs are poorly paid and low skilled.
- Traditional industry is in decline.
A knowledge-based economy is the route to full employment, better jobs and other attributes in the workforce. We need to make sure that young people have the skills for todays and tomorrows economies.
Progress so far
The Wigan Economic Partnership has taken a lead role in tackling the skills gap, forging between schools and employers, ensuring progress towards a better qualified workforce. It has also striven to give Wigan a strong voice in regional economic planning and in attracting new employers into the area through innovative developments across the Borough.
Actions
- Create new jobs.
- Provide land for development.
- Wigan South Central initiative.
- Leigh Sports Village.
- Leigh Commerce Park.
- South Lancashire Industrial Estate Extension.
- Development of town centres.
- Business support mechanisms.
- Property Finder Service.
- Promote the Borough as a good place to live and work and the "right place to do business".
- Promote the role of Wigan in the region.
- Promote corporate social responsibility.
Our targets
- Increase total number of employees in key sectors (manufacturing, construction, distribution, hotels and restaurants, transport and communications, finance, IT and other business activities, public admin, education, health, other services and tourism related).
- Increase VAT registrations per 10,000 working age population.
- Decrease VAT de-registrations as a percentage of stock at the end of the year
- Increase investment value.
- Increase quality of secured inward investment projects.
Visit the "Measuring performance" page for the full list of targets.
How you could contribute
- Spread the word about Wigan Borough. Improve our image when you are away from the area.
- Encourage local firms to get involved in supporting their own communities.
