Swindon Link Weekly Article - 29th January

Swindon is very much a town on the up. Last week this was demonstrated through the latest unemployment stats – showing a 62.9% fall in unemployment and a 63.6% fall in youth unemployment since 2010.

This week it was demonstrated with the announcement that TNT were launching a brand new £15.5 million ‘super depot’ that would create 250 new local jobs.

The new ten acre site will be next to the South Marston Industrial Estate and is due for completion in 24 weeks. Before completion, TNT will advertise the new jobs including drivers, loading bay operatives and roles in operational support.

I was at the site when the announcement was made to celebrate yet another success story for our town, as we continue to lead the economic recovery with the fastest growth rate in the South West. The 250 new jobs will also be in addition to the 7,000+ jobs that we have seen created since 2010, as well as the £119 million investment into projects from our local Enterprise Partnership.

The new University Technical College that has opened on the site of the old railway works is also contributing to the town’s growth by producing the next wave of highly skilled technicians and engineers, who will look to find employment with the increasing number of industries that are finding Swindon an attractive place to do business.

In addition to the UTC, I met with New College in Parliament this week, as we took their proposed £25 million school bid and made the case to the Department for Education. The proposition revolves around the plan which aims to build a brand new secondary school for the Northern Sector in 2016.

The school would be named the Great Western Academy, and would have a particular focus on business and IT, in addition to the other traditional subjects. I will continue to make the case to senior figures within the Department for Education to try and ensure that it is a successful bid.

So whilst we are seeing an increase in the number of industries and businesses investing and creating jobs in our town, we are also putting focus on the next generation, and ensuring that our young people can fit into those jobs by receiving the best education possible.

What with more jobs, more businesses, increased investment and increasing opportunities in education, Swindon is certainly powering ahead.