A NEW plan to create more job opportunities and improve the quality of jobs in the region has been approved by councillors at Devon County Council (DCC).

The cabinet gave its backing to the draft Get Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Working Plan.

The two-year framework aims to address longstanding economic challenges in the region such as high inactivity rates in Torbay, persistent youth unemployment in Plymouth, low pay in coastal and rural sectors across Devon, and barriers faced by carers, older workers and those with health conditions.

Priorities of the plan include addressing skills gaps, tackling health-related inactivity, enabling unpaid carers and those with caring responsibilities to re-enter the workforce, and supporting young people into sustained careers, including those at risk of not being in education, employment or training (NEET).

It brings together existing programmes such as the Adult Skills Fund pilot, Connect to Work, Train 4 Tomorrow and the Careers Hub, aligning them under a single, shared strategy.

The plan proposes a number of actions with the creation of a local Job Quality Charter, improved access to flexible and carer-friendly employment, and strengthening links between education, training providers and employers.

Support will be prioritised for groups who face the greatest barriers to work, including residents with long-term health conditions, unpaid carers, older workers, care-experienced young people, and those with special educational needs or disabilities.

Initial delivery will focus on pilot areas in Torbay, Ilfracombe and Newton Abbot, before being rolled out across the wider area.

Councillor Simon Clist, Cabinet Member for Assets and Resources, said: ‘We have engaged with a range of partners in developing this plan to ensure that local priorities are reflected.

‘It looks to join up services and work closely with employers to develop an economy which provides opportunities for all, where we can support young people and strengthen our rural and coastal communities – all of which aligns with the ambitions of our Strategic Plan.

‘The Get Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Working Plan will support people to progress into employment, which is good for our economy and will address local labour shortages.

‘We want to make sure there are no barriers to work so that everyone can aspire to achieve.

‘Although it focuses on employment and skills, it also contributes to net-zero targets, with programmes such as Train 4 Tomorrow and the Adult Skills Fund pilot helping to train people in sustainability-related sectors such as green construction, clean energy, retrofit, and low-carbon technologies’.

All areas of the country have been tasked with developing a local Get Britain Working Plan. Subject to joint sign-off from partners Plymouth City Council, Torbay Council, the Integrated Care Board, the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority and the Department for Work and Pensions, the Get Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Working Plan will be submitted to Government by the end of this month.

The plan builds directly on the council’s ‘Brighter Futures Strategy’ which aims to increase the number of young people in education, employment or training.

It also aligns with the council’s Strategic Plan commitments of ensuring positive futures for young people, economic inclusion and local prosperity, and supporting independence and dignity.