Huntingdonshire LOCAL REPORT FOR THE GREATER CAMBRIDGE GREATER PETERBOROUGH ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP AREA-BASED REVIEW November 2016
Economic context Huntingdonshire has average earnings across all industries of 24,645. From 2003 to 2016, there was 10 per cent jobs growth, with 7,000 net new jobs. Projected to 2022, a further 4 per cent jobs growth is expected, representing 3,000 net new jobs; together with replacement, there are an expected 21,000 job openings over that time. Job mix reflects the wider region. Jobs growth has been driven by a mix of services: accommodation and food service activities, but with robust growth from information and communication. Construction continues to be a key source of job growth, while water supply, education, and professional, scientific and technical activities have all contributed. However, the area has seen sharp declines in public administration and defence, and health and social work. In terms of niche industries, there is a marked variety: meat processing is the most obvious specialism, followed closely by water treatment and supply, plastic packing goods manufacture, and corrugated paper manufacture. Testing and analysis are important: technical services, and the manufacture of related instruments both feature highly. For niche occupations, the area has few highly concentrated specialisms, but the high profile of packing industries is reflected: fork-lift truck drivers and packers both feature, alongside production managers. Strategic and residential developments Huntingdonshire has a number of strategic sites dependent on major changes to local infrastructure. A key element in changing infrastructure is now underway with the rerouting of the A14 between Huntingdon and Cambridge, which will improve links between the A14 (east/west) and A1/M11 (north/south). Locally, the east/west route between Cambridge and Oxford is seen as increasingly important for growth. The Alconbury Weald site is an example of development activity an enterprise zone with significant brownfield land. The local authority uses a number of ex-military sites as development opportunities, limiting the need for substantial regeneration activity. The area suffers from a land-supply issue for commercial users. For example, Kinesis manufacturers of scientific machinery currently employ 26 staff and aim to grow to 45 staff in the next two years, but securing additional premises for expansion has proven difficult. There are substantial concerns about the lack of affordable housing, making the area less accessible for workers early in their careers or with low skill levels, with the potential to create serious skills shortages. The local plan envisions 21,000 new homes by 2036, with 8,000 in Alconbury Weald. Skills and industry outlook Alongside those homes, the local plan envisions 18,000 new jobs in the area. There is a thriving small and medium-sizer employer population and the challenge is to scale them up and retain them within the area. Huntongdonshire has a significant presence in agritch and cleantech, as well as in advanced manufacturing, food manufacturing and logistics and warehousing among skills gap and critical sectors identified by GCGP EP. For the local authority, composites manufacturing is particularly critical, alongside IT, science and agritech. 2 Huntingdonshire November 2016
The technical nature of some businesses makes for some highly specific skills shortages. This has been the rationale for investing in imet in Alconbury, a 10.5m professional training centre managed by Huntingdonshire Regional College. Additional skills issues are noted in construction (owing to the pipeline of housing and major infrastructure projects) and healthcare. 3 Huntingdonshire November 2016
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