The second section describes the type of employment which the area should aim to attract and the limited means by which the Council might contribute to this.
2.1 General Policy
Our policy must be to try to attract high value added businesses dependent on a concentration of well paid and skilled staff. This will bring income and extra spending power into the area. Warehousing and retail enterprises do not fall into this category. Generally the key highly skilled employees will be imported. A large consideration in moving businesses is the attractiveness of the target area. Such industry will also need a layer of skilled staff who can and will be recruited locally providing training locally matches the requirement. Training in intermediate skills is critical. This approach will encourage the young able and ambitious to remain in the area. Providing alternatives to outward migration is critical to rejuvenation of the area. Employment opportunities for the less skilled may depend on the costs of travelling by public transport and this must be addressed. We must therefore
a) Enhance, defend and publicise the more attractive features of the area.
b) Encourage schemes to train the unskilled and early school leavers.
c) Address schemes to reduce public transport costs for workers locally
d) Target innovative businesses in publicising the area and in reviewing land released for business use.
2.2 Tele-working
Given Bletchley’s history we should seek to move to full utilisation of modern technology. While tele-working from home is increasing, there will be a parallel need for village centres which not only have on-line facilities to allow working at a distance from a remote office but common office and even workshop facilities not available in the home. Tele-working is socially more sustainable because it reduces commuting and is in line with the SEEDA wired region policy. The same facilities may also be useful for distance learning.