Ashford EDG March 2024 Minutes

Ashford Economic Development Group – March 2024 minutes

Nettie Buss (AB)
Jo Brown (JB)
Maria Callow (MC)
Lee Collette (LC)
Steve Garnett SG)
Richard Lavender (RL)
Sharon Norman (SN)
Andrew Osborne (AO)
Tudor Price (TP)
Jason Rainbird (JR)
Tom Shaw-Dunn (TS-D)
Tim Sheppard (TS)
Dan Sherlock (DS)
Richard Stafford (RS)

Welcome
AB welcomed guests Jo Brown (Assistant Principal, Ashford College) and Tom Shaw-Dunn, CEO of Retainagroup.

Update on Ashford College

Growth
JB discussed the success of the new building to help accommodate 200 more students. The college is looking for a higher intake in September 2024 and looking ahead to phase 3 development.

TS asked what has contributed to the college’s growth – since 2020 when it opened it has had a 46% growth in students. JB believed it is attributed to Ashford College becoming the college of choice, the reputation has been elevated. Less local students are travelling to Canterbury, more travelling from Maidstone and they have worked on extensive community outreach.

Placements
The college has a model F1 track that will be displayed at the Ashford Designer Outlet to help attract and engage with potential engineering students, staff and potential placement opportunities.

However, a key challenge is to secure Level 2 Electrical and Plumbing placements for the students – currently only 10% secured. There are hurdles to overcome but the college has a fund to help secure new placements.

TP will discuss how the chamber can help with ILO’s and potentially consider and AB will consider an open invite to a future AEDG meeting.

Phased development
The college has a further challenge to secure space for creative media production students. TP will further investigate a potential opportunity at KICC and the college is already in discussion with the council.

There was discussion about engaging with Stagecoach to increase number of services from the Romney Marsh area to support students, RL will action.

DS asked about expansion planning for phase 3 onwards and JB and AO confirmed options were being investigated to develop local land with the council.

Skills
TP mentioned the ‘Youth Skills Manifesto’ and how the chamber and businesses can align and support local young people into work.

TP also stated there are 75,000 businesses in Kent and by 2035 there will be a need for 56,000 more skilled workers. But in line with economic growth this equates to 478,000 skilled people by 2035. There is a huge skills transition ahead for the county.

AO referenced Coty as an example of where technology has moved on considerably and they have higher skilled staff to run a more productive, automated process.

Eurotunnel initiative

TP referred to a recent meeting with Getlink who are exploring the opportunity of a £42m plan to convert the rail freight route from the Folkestone Terminal to Wembley via Redhill. The plan is to upgrade the route to a more modern freight loading gauge – to take 40% freight off the road.

There was discussion around using the existing Eurostar line up to the Thames Crossing. Next steps will be for TP to share opinions with Getlink.