Director’s Cut
As usual this edition of SFP Update is full of news items across a range of partnership activities, addressing enterprise, skills, community safety and environmental issues.
Alongside these the Partnership has been working on two very important areas for the city's future: education and economy.
We have renewed our focus on raising aspiration and educational attainment in the city's young people. We are looking to gain the support and active input of a much wider range of partners and organisations across the city to address, what must be seen as, the key issue in securing a successful future for both our young people and the city.
During the autumn we will be asking partners to make pledges and sign up to specific activities to raise aspiration and increase attainment. There will be something for everyone to contribute. Look out for more information in coming weeks.
The current economic circumstances only strengthen our resolve in this area. Education and skills not only offer individuals a chance to grow and achieve, they are the essential foundations of productivity, innovation and economic growth.
As a partnership we have been considering the impact on the city of changes in the global economy. We are certain we will not lower our ambitions for the city, but we will take a realistic account of the changing environment. Sheffield is much better placed than it was a decade ago to cope with any challenges. We are proactively seeking to manage the risks and to make the most of the opportunities which do exist.
On 15 October we are hosting, in collaboration with Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Creative Sheffield, a breakfast event for local businesses entitled ‘Nurturing Talent in Sheffield's Workforce’. Some of the biggest and best employers in the city will share and discuss how to improve the skills of workers in Sheffield, nurture and attract talent to the city for the long-term.
Jane Brown
Sheffield First Partnership