PLANS are being put in place to ensure Swindon has a fully trained workforce for the anticipated economic growth over the next decade.

It is expected there will be almost 30,000 new jobs in the region, many of which will be skilled positions which require qualifications.

As a result, the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has been given £4 million to help set up new training programmes.

The cash has been given by the Skills Funding Agency and the providers of the training will be expected to support small and medium sized businesses if developing their workforce.

The training programmes will also focus on offering new skills to older workers, supporting employability for longer-term unemployed individuals and directly supporting businesses in developing their workforces.

“One of the things we often hear from businesses is they struggle to find the workers they need,” said Swindon Borough Council Leader David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick), who is also on the LEP board.

“What we want to do is make sure we are able to make sure we can provide the necessary skills.

“The last thing we want is the businesses going elsewhere. We’re very pleased to have got the money. The LEP has been working very hard to meet all the requirements of the fund.”

While the money is for the whole region, as a major economic hub, Swindon is expected to benefit largely from the money.

When the Government’s growth fund was last allocated in 2014, Swindon was one of the biggest beneficiaries in the country. However, it is important the workforce moves with the changes, say the LEP.

“All the evidence suggests going forward the bulk of the new jobs will be ones that require a foundation, bachelor or masters qualification,” said Coun Renard.

“It is likely other jobs will stagnate or even fall away in the future so it is important we make people aware of this and help them with getting the right qualifications.”

One of the major areas of growth will be in the east of the town, where 8,000 homes are expected to be built.

On top of this, there will be a district centre and work has begun on a business district opposite Gablecross Police Station.

Together these are expected to provide around 4,000 new jobs.