STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

n     There are job opportunities

n     Industrial Estate at Pilsworth

n     Shopping retail at Heap Bridge

n     Good education achievement recorded in the target area

n     Got its own Jobcentre

n     It is expected that 2000+ vacancies will be notified during the year

n     Location ie motorway links

n     Land available - companies expanding/relocating

n     Quality of jobs, low skilled/low paid generally and short term duration

n     Transport - problems getting to Industrial Estates

n     Good educational achievement, coupled with poor job prospects

n     High percentage of seasonal work, short term and temporary jobs

n     Effect on benefits ie debts

n     Jobs filled from outside the area

n     How to move people from the Welfare Benefits into work

n     People living in households where there are no family members in work

OPPORTUNITIES

THREATS

n     Target disadvantaged groups eg Lone parents including those on incapacity and other benefits

n     New Deal 50+ being introduced

n     Target people not covered by other provision

n     Enhance existing provision

n     Concentrate on in work benefits

n     Add value to National programmes

n     Progression whilst in work

n     Financial support for self employment and enterprise

n     Support for existing companies (expansion)

n     Support for people already in employment (increase skill levels)

n     Build skills for the long term

n     Develop partnership arrangements with companies in growth sector (eg financial services)

n     Are local people skilled enough to access local job opportunities and vice versa

n     Investment creating quality jobs, not in Heywood

n     Low income area

n     People don’t want to set up business in Heywood - poor image

n     Frequency/cost of public transport

n     Manufacturing base (declining sector)

n     May run out of available land

n     Decisions made largely by people outside Heywood with no real understanding of the area

n     Declining Industrial sectors

n     Child care

n     In work benefits - perception that people are better off on benefits

n     Income maximisation/debt counselling