A marketing team behind a new enterprise area in North Somerset, which aims to create 10,000 jobs by 2026 has been strengthened by the addition of a local college.
The Junction 21 Enterprise Area (J21EA), off the M5, offers 72 hectares of employment land which is ‘ready to go’ with planning permission and access.
The scheme is being led by North Somerset Council working closely with St Modwen, Persimmon Homes and Dowlas UK (Ltd) to pull together an enterprise area that offers office space, jobs and homes.
A major part of the scheme will be the development of a new STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) college, the North Somerset Enterprise and Technology College (NSETC) , which is due to accept its first students in September 2014.
Weston College, in Knightstone Road, Weston-super-Mare, which offers a range of qualifications to students aged 11 to 18, has been heavily involved in the work to secure the necessary funding and backing for the new college and has now joined the J21EA marketing sub- group.
The sub-group is a unique concept as it sees developers working closely together to promote their sites. This is a cohesive approach bringing together experts in their respective fields to promote J21EA and the fantastic opportunities that this location can offer to not only well-established firms and SMEs but to business start-ups and young entrepreneurs.
Weston College has been instrumental in helping to push forward the new NSETC and is looking forward to bringing the same momentum to J21EA.
Dr Paul Phillips OBE, principal and chief executive at Weston College, said: “It’s no accident that the NSETC finds itself in the middle of J21EA. Employment and enterprise opportunities are a central element of the economic growth planned for Weston and the NSETC intends to be a major catalyst for the creation of a local, STEM-skilled workforce.
“These are exciting times for Weston-super-Mare and J21EA and we are delighted to have the opportunity to make a real contribution towards its success.”
The enterprise area already benefits from a highly-skilled workforce with 47% of residents in Weston working in management, associate professional and technical occupations.
There are also excellent transport links with the M5 close by and good rail links while Bristol Airport is just eight miles away.
To find out more about J21EA visithttp://www.connect-pr.co.uk/ www.innorthsomerset.co.uk/junction-21.