Business in Herefordshire and Shropshire that are involved in the automotive supply chain are being urged to support a new initiative to help identify sector skills issues.
The Automotive Industry Partnership (AIP) is conducting a survey of the sector which will support the roll-out of a new £30m scheme to address skills gaps, increase graduate recruitment and the number of apprenticeships on offer.
The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (MLEP) is supporting the call from the AIP, which includes employers such as Jaguar LandRover, Ford and BMW, with the sector aiming to recruit 10,000 apprentices and 2,000 graduates by 2018.
Gill Hamer, Director of the Marches LEP, said: “The automotive industry currently produces 1.6 million vehicles each year which is expected to rise to more than two million by 2017.
“This will have a positive impact on the many businesses in the Marches directly involved in the industry, with a number of Tier 1 and 2 suppliers based in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.
“The sector needs to hear from businesses in the supply chain to understand what current and future jobs and skills shortages they have, so it can plan a strategic approach and prioritise future investment.”