We have a wealth of talent in the region. The West Midlands labour force is renowned for being experienced, dynamic and, above all, hard working. We have a resourceful and skilled workforce of 2.6 million people employed across a range of sectors throughout the region. With a range of academic, vocational, sector specialised, on-the-job training and educational opportunities, we have a true commitment to maintaining and developing the highly skilled workforce that contributes so much to the region’s commercial calibre.

Look at some of the evidence.

• The West Midlands labour force of 2.6 million is projected to grow to 2.7 million by 2006.
• Managers, professionals and technical staff account for 37% of the region’s skills base.
• Skills are spread across a wide range of sectors, such as manufacturing (460,000 employees), business and professional services (371,000 employees) and ICT (74,000).
• 67% of companies have employees with language skills.
• There are a host of multi-lingual centres in the area including Capita, Elf Aquitaine, Fedex, Forte Reservations PwC and RAC.
• Each year, 41,000 students benefit from one-year work placements in the region with over half of these students choosing to remain in the region for employment upon graduation.
• The University of Warwick operates the KITTS scheme, which enables regional businesses to draw on University talent to solve particular business problems at a subsidised rate.
• The average weekly wage in the West Midlands is £355.85 and staff costs are typically a third cheaper than in Greater London.

Our workforce possesses advanced skills across all sectors ranging from traditional manufacturing practices to design-led or professional services capabilities. Our rich and varied skills base forms the backbone to the region’s productive industry and fertile economy.

The West Midlands is a place where innovation comes naturally. Real commitment to Research & Development is key to bringing fresh ideas to life.

As the latest technology becomes more integral to the core of business’ success, it is reassuring to know pioneering work is taking place throughout the region.

We have a strong infrastructure in place that encourages ingenuity in business practices through a network of R&D, knowledge transfer and collaboration. Strategic locations in our region, such as technology corridors provide opportunities for companies striving to push the boundaries of inventiveness. Our centres of excellence, key industries, science and technology parks and leading universities further assist businesses.

Just look at the facts.

• We have a number of world class research organisations including QinetiQ (electronics), MIRA (automotive industry), RAPRA (rubber and plastics) and CERAM (ceramics).
• With over 500,000 students in full or part time education and some of the UK’s most prestigious universities and research centres, we are a learning region. Our educational institutions have strong links with regional, national and international business.
• The Universities of Aston, Birmingham, Coventry, Keele, Staffordshire, Warwick and Wolverhampton all have Science Parks with facilities to transfer academic expertise to industry and commerce.
• The Warwick Manufacturing Group provides post-experience education and industrially relevant research and development in collaboration with over 40 UK and international companies.
• Aston Business School was the first, and currently the only UK business school to be accredited by EQUIS (the European Quality Improvement System) and has close links with industry, commerce and the public sector in the UK and abroad.
• The University of Birmingham has R&D links with companies including British Aerospace, Ford, IBM, Kodak Ltd, London Underground Limited, the Ministry of Defence and Rhone Poulenc.