More imminent job creation after Regional Growth Fund success for Staffordshire

More jobs will be created in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire after two LEP bids to Government demonstrated the strength needed to secure funding.

Automotive parts company Maier UK, which is based in Burntwood, could create up to 60 jobs after its bid for a research and development project to develop and produce high-quality exterior plastic components was successful. The four-year project will also safeguard 30 jobs. The company worked closely with Make It Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire – the area’s combined inward investment team – and the local enterprise partnership to produce a bid which was one of just eight successes across the West Midlands.

Businesses across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire will be able to access essential funding after a bid by the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce to enhance its Jobs and Growth Fund programme was successful. The initiative, run in partnership with the LEP, supports businesses needing to expand premises or find new premises, buy new equipment and improve infrastructure. It has been successful in creating substantial employment across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire and the funding means the scheme will continue until at least 2017.

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Enterprise Partnership chairman David Frost said:

“Today’s RGF announcement is more good news for our area; demonstrating the strength of our bids and that we are delivering on our commitment to create more jobs. Our Make It team brought together a team of experts from UKTI and the Automotive Investment Organisation to work closely with Maier UK on its submission to ensure it met the demands of the tough bidding process. This company works within one of our key sectors and this will mean more skilled jobs being created. The RGF announcement follows news that the county council and South Staffordshire College are opening an automotive and engineering skills development hub, meaning there will be more work-ready candidates to fill new positions in the future.

“This new facility uses City Deal funding – meaning it has had an immediate impact on skills development.

“The already successful Jobs and Growth Fund, run for the LEP by the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, will continue to make a real difference to companies which need to access essential finance thanks to this bid.

“A quarter of the successful bid in the West Midlands came from Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire which shows we really mean business.”

The Make It team initially worked with Spanish-owned Maier to bring its UK base and investment to Staffordshire.