Jobs and Economy
Purpose – Working together to improve the economy of
Aberdeenshire and the employment prospects of its people
Scope - The Jobs and Economy Theme Forum takes a broad view of activities undertaken by the partners and acts as a briefing group on key economic issues. The Forum also identifies specific issues not covered by partners or other groups which also require to be addressed.
The Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Forum (ACSEF) is the main strategic partnership responsible for progressing work on the theme.
Membership - Core membership of the Forum comprises named representatives from Scottish Enterprise Grampian and Aberdeenshire Council with ability to co-opt other relevant partners onto the group as the need arises.
Objectives
- Create and sustain jobs in Aberdeenshire:
- Maintaining the quality of jobs available to people
- Providing infrastructure and support to create new businesses, diversify the economy and encourage new start-up businesses
- Support businesses particularly in rural areas
- Investment in new business premises
- Maximise the opportunities presented by the priority industries e.g. energy, food and drink, tourism
- Developing and training a well-educated and skilled workforce
- Maintaining and growing a robust rural economy in key sectors
Related Major Strategies
- ACSEF – core strategy for Jobs & Economy Theme
- Rural Action Plan
- Local Rural Partnerships’ Action Plans
- Building Buchan New Beginnings
- NESTRANS – Modern Transport System
- Aberdeenshire Council Local Transport Strategy
- Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership
- Aberdeenshire Council Economic Development Strategy
- Smart Successful Scotland and SE Grampian Statement of Strategic Intent
Indicators*
- Unemployment Rates:
- Claimant count
- Business start-up rates:
- % increase/decrease in number of VAT registered businesses
[Business survivability rates will be assessed as a future potential indicator]
- Average earnings
- Economic activity rates:
- % increase/decrease in Male/Female activity rates
- Workforce Development Engagements
- Participation in National Training Programmes
- Support and Diversifying Rural Economy:
- New ventures in rural area (non-traditional industries)
*Additional or new performance indicators will be assessed for use through time.
Building Buchan New Beginnings – Good Practice Example
Building Buchan New Beginnings is a three-year action plan to address
the economic challenges facing coastal communities across North Aberdeenshire. It is led by three core partners – Scottish Enterprise Grampian, Communities Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council – and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the East of Scotland Objective 2 programme 2000-06. It provides a unique opportunity to make a long-lasting difference to businesses, communities and individuals across the area. As a result of this community planning action results are already starting to be achieved by helping companies to grow or diversify into new markets, products or customers.
