A new partnership to identify training and skills gaps in the Cornish manufacturing sector has recently been established, with the support of over £3 million of European Social Funding (ESF).

The new Developing Skills for Business (DS4B) programme, set up by the Cornwall Manufacturers Group (CMG) (www.cmgroup.org.uk), works with employers to design, develop and pilot training and apprenticeships to improve the relevance of skills training for local businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Martyn Pearson (pictured), a newly recruited DS4B skills broker, said: “CMG are passionate ambassadors of manufacturing’s role and its contribution to the economy.

To secure funding that will be used to identify training needs and deliver against those needs is recognition of the value of the industry, and we’re seeing an overwhelming take-up of the offer by businesses.”

Jen Siggs, partnership manager at Cornwall College said: “The project will increase the capacity and capability of established sector/employer organisations and providers in all LEP priority sectors to engage with the SME businesses they represent.

“SMEs will be helped to identify current and emerging skills needs and ultimately the development of solutions to improve the labour-market relevance of provision for local businesses.”