WORCESTERSHIRE Local Enterprise Partnership has announced that the county has achieved the strongest growth in Higher Level Workforce skills for the second year running.

The Inclusive Growth Monitor 2017 report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), has measured that Worcestershire has achieved the strongest growth in higher level workforce skills in all LEP areas, between 2010 to 2015.

This growth is due to a larger number of people in the county having higher level occupations and a higher quality of educational attainment, which forms a key part of inclusive growth, economic growth that benefits all parts of society.

Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s research also highlighted that Worcestershire has once again achieved the third highest growth in prosperity in all LEP areas, between 2010 to 2015 - which factors in the county’s growing economy and stronger growth in higher level occupations and skills.

The county’s latest success follows the recent announcement that Worcestershire has achieved the highest growth in workforce productivity in the country. Earlier this year, Office of National Statistics data showed Worcestershire had achieved an annual average rate of productivity growth of three per cent.

Worcestershire LEP has invested Government’s Growth Deal funds into a number of skills-based projects which will further develop the provision of skills in the county, including the North Worcestershire Engineering Centre of Excellence in Redditch.

Gary Woodman, chief executive of Worcestershire LEP, said: “I am delighted that Worcestershire continues to lead the way in terms of growing higher level workforce skills and local prosperity.

"The latest figures show that we are continuing to drive forward skills development opportunities and, by raising the skills of our local workforce, we are continuing to ensure that our local businesses are well equipped for the future of business with access to a talented employment base.”

For more on information on the latest research by JRF visit jrf.org.uk.