Clusters in the spotlight

Chair: Cllr David Heather
Members: Cllr Allan Jones, Mike Pearson, Cllr Iain St John, Cllr Bob Tress

Cluster policy supports related businesses which buy and sell from each other and share the same infrastructure, technology, potential customers and skill base.

Yorkshire Forward have identified five key regional clusters as priority areas: advanced engineering and metals; bioscience; chemicals; digital industries; and food and drink. This review focused on:

• how clusters have been identified and developed in the region; and
• the effectiveness of applying cluster policy in helping to achieve the aspirations of the RES.

The panel recommended that skills priorities for each of the clusters should feature in action plans; and that Yorkshire Forward must demonstrate how, through the Regional Skills Partnership, it helps deliver these.

Tangible results are that the Skills for Key Clusters Initiative has started, with an investment of £9m from Yorkshire Forward; and approval has been given to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) programme in schools.