Major jobs and training plan launched to tackle low pay in Devon and Plymouth

A new plan to create more job opportunities and raise the quality of work across Devon and Plymouth has been approved by councillors.

Devon County Council’s Cabinet has supported a draft ‘Get Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Working’ plan. 

The two-year strategy aims to tackle known local challenges such as youth unemployment in Plymouth, low pay in rural and coastal communities across West Devon and Dartmoor, and barriers faced by carers, older workers and people with health conditions.

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The plan sets out to close skills gaps, reduce health-related inactivity, and help carers and those with caring responsibilities return to work. 

It also focuses on supporting young people into lasting careers, including those at risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training).

Several existing programmes will be brought together under this strategy. These include the Adult Skills Fund pilot, Connect to Work, Train 4 Tomorrow and the Careers Hub. 

Actions will include creating a local Job Quality Charter, increasing access to flexible and carer-friendly jobs, and strengthening links between schools, training providers and employers.

Support will be prioritised for groups facing the biggest barriers to work. 

This includes unpaid carers, residents with long-term health conditions, older workers, care-experienced young people, and those with special educational needs or disabilities.

Pilot projects will begin in Newton Abbot, Torbay and Ilfracombe, with feedback to be shared across the wider county, including rural areas around Dartmoor and West Devon.

Councillor Simon Clist, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Assets and Resources, said: “We’ve engaged with a range of partners in developing this plan to ensure that local priorities are reflected. It looks to join up services and work closely with employers to develop an economy which provides opportunities for all, where we can support young people and strengthen our rural and coastal communities – all of which aligns with the ambitions of our Strategic Plan.

“The Get Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Working Plan will support people to progress into employment, which is good for our economy and will address local labour shortages. 

We want to make sure there are no barriers to work so that everyone can aspire to achieve.

The final plan will be submitted to the Government later this month once agreed with partners in Plymouth, Torbay and the local Integrated Care Board.