Let’s make the most of business
Conference turns spotlight on ecomony
A conference that attracted 150 Renfrewshire workers found that maximising benefits of the area’s “buoyant” economy are top priority.
The annual Economic Development Conference, organised by Renfrewshire Council’s economic development team Invest in Renfrewshire, was held earlier this week.
Workers from jobs, skills and economic development agencies went along to Paisley Town Hall, where the focus was on tackling inequalities and delivering inclusive growth.
D e l e g a t e s h e a rd how Renfrewshire’s economy is greatly improved, with the highest employment rate across the Glasgow city region and more businesses generating a greater turnover than this time last year.
They also learned about new developments and opportunities set to boost the economy even more, including a manufacturing innovation district being developed next to Glasgow Airport and £100million being invested to transform Paisley town centre and its cultural venues.
Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, delivered the keynote speech.
He said: “The Scottish Government recognises a strong, vibrant and diverse economy is essential to our national prosperity.
“We are committed to delivering inclusive growth and tackling the inequalities that prevent people from achieving their potential.
“We have invested £48 million to develop a National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland.
“Located at Inchinnan, it will provide support for manufacturing businesses, help to attract investment, and connect all of Scotland’s engineering universities and colleges.
“Our devolved employability support service, Fair Start Scotland, offers a distinctly Scottish approach where participation is voluntary for everyone who chooses to take part.
“We want the process of finding work and starting a new job to be seen as an opportunity and choosing to take the opportunity of support can’t be driven by fear of sanctions.”
Staff from Creative Scotland and the council’s regeneration team outlined plans to develop Renfrewshire’s creative economy, while delegates also discussed the changing labour market. The economy is boosted by: Business incubator InCube, which supports the start-up of 300 new businesses each year
Programmes to help people into work being rated the best performing in Scotland
At 76.1 per cent, our employment rate outstrips the entire Glasgow city region
Weekly earnings for Renfrewshire residents are £28.50 higher than the Scottish average
Hosting major events this summer boosted the local economy by £1.25million
80 per cent of 16 to 64-yearolds are economically active, but by 2041, our working age population is expected to decrease by 2.1 per cent
Manufacturing provides employment to 11 per cent of our total workforce, with 358 different manufacturing sites in the area, including world-renowned RollsRoyce and Diageo.
Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson said: “Renfrewshire’s economy is buoyant, and this conference sees the organisations contributing to its success share best practice and consider the next steps.
“We’re helping more people find and sustain work and are working hard to create the conditions which bring new businesses to the area and enable established businesses to grow and innovate.”