The Workforce Development Action Group.

Business Champion:
Maureen Wilcox. Manager, Thurrock Learning Partnership.

Key areas of interest:
training; recruitment; links with schools; virtual tours.

Contacts:
Business Forum Secretariat: 01375 652227, economic.regeneration@thurrock.gov.uk
Business Champion: 01375 652918, mwilcox@thurrock.gov.uk

The Workforce Development Group is in the process of defining an agenda for itself as new Business Champion Maureen Wilcox settles into the role. The Group exists to help Members to upskill their employees through specific projects, as well as general networking and diffusion of best practice.

A particularly important function of the WFD Group concerns communication. Because the Group brings together educational bodies and private sector employers it is particularly useful in assisting companies to see through the apparent maze of education/training bodies and initiatives. The WFD Group therefore hosts a significant number of external speakers and guests from outside agencies.

Regarding project delivery, most recently it has developed an Employer Engagement Strategy/Protocol in collaboration with Thurrock Learning Partnership.  It has continued to progress and market the Virtual Tours which it led on and which have proved to be an enormous success.