The Government has announced that all Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), including SEEDA, will close by 31 March 2012.
Responsibility for economic development and regeneration in England is being passed onto successor bodies, including Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and central Government departments
Our objective is to ensure a professional and cost effective closure by this date. We have pledged to work closely with our partners, contractors and stakeholders to ensure that the past and future economic benefits of key programmes and assets continue to deliver the greatest economic value for the South East and value for money for the taxpayer.
Please click here for more details about our closure plan, transition arrangements and successor organisations.
Skills - supporting people and business
A well educated and skilled workforce is essential to economic growth. In the South East, SEEDA worked with business, industry and key stakeholders to identify and meet the skills needs of the South East economy.
In April 2010 SEEDA was given responsibility for identifying demand-side skills needs in the South East. At the same time commissioning of provision for 16-19 year olds transferred from the Learning and Skills Council to local authorities, to be monitored and supported by the Young People’s Learning Agency. Adult learning and skills provision became the responsibility of the Skills Funding Agency, a new agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
SEEDA, working and consulting with business, industry and stakeholders ensured that:
- Employers can access the skills they need to grow their business, increasing productivity and creating new jobs
- Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills are improved to support growth in priority industry sectors
- Skills is addressed as an integral part of economic development and business support.
SEEDA produced the South East Skills Priorities Statement which provides an overview of skills required to support economic growth and sets out the skills priorities that require attention within and across the South East.
SEEDA also lead on skills and employment for England’s RDAs and worked closely with BIS and DWP contributing to the development of national policy.
If you are an individual seeking skills and careers advice, please contact Next Step.
If you are seeking work please visit Direct Gov.
