Automotive group aiming to bridge South Tyneside 'jobs gap'
Automotive industry chiefs are aiming to make it easier for people in South Tyneside to get jobs in the advanced manufacturing sector.
The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) says it is looking to ‘close the gap’ between employers and potential workers by launching the latest stage of its Inclusivity Pilot in Advanced Manufacturing, South Tyneside (IPAM-ST) in the borough.
The project aims to help residents in the borough, who are economically inactive, unemployed, or not in education, to get access to the vocational skills required to work in the advanced manufacturing sector.
The NEAA says preliminary research has identified a “complex relationship” between people in the borough who are unemployed and local employers.
Despite high levels of unemployment and economic inactivity in the boroigh, employers report that it can be difficult to fill available manufacturing jobs with local people.
The project will be undertaken by Gateshead-based equity, diversity and inclusion consultancy Positive About Inclusion.
Positive About Inclusion’s directors, Lucy Malarkey and Karen Faulkner, aim to engage with employers in the advanced manufacturing sector to hear their perspectives and identify solutions and measures to overcome the barriers between local residents and advanced manufacturing jobs.
NEAA chief executive, Paul Butler, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Positive About Inclusion on this stage of IPAM-ST and would encourage employers to take the opportunity to engage in the project and share their views.
“By giving Lucy or Karen just 30 minutes of their time, they will be helping to shape the next stages of this project and delivering significant value to employers across the whole of our region.”
Lucy Malarkey added: “Karen and I have great experience supporting employers to maximise recruitment opportunities.
"We would love to work with as broad a range of employers as possible and will be hugely flexible to accommodate busy diaries.”
She added: "We can meet at a time and in a way that’s most convenient, be that by phone, Zoom or Teams, or in-person.
"I can promise employers an interesting and enjoyable discussion exploring their perspectives and considering best practice.”
For more information, or to be part of project, email [email protected].