MENTA to support businesses and skills in the East of England
MENTA wins new contract to support businesses and skills in the East of England
MENTA is proud to be part of a new initiative providing businesses and education organisations in the East of England with access to innovation and skills opportunities.
A new programme, funded by Freeport East, is enabliing MENTA to deliver a range of business and innovation support for enterprises and SMEs, including digital and trade-related businesses with a focus on supporting underserved communities and in sectors such as clean energy, logistics and trade.
The project is part of a £980,000 investment by Freeport East which has set up two funds – an Innovation and Skills fund as well as a Clean Growth Fund - to offer vital support to small and growing businesses and will play a pivotal role in strengthening opportunities for new innovations and green jobs in the region particularly in high-potential sectors such as clean energy.
The Freeport East Innovation and Skills Fund focuses on building access to innovation and skills opportunities, particularly in underserved communities and in sectors relevant to the Freeport East area, such as clean energy, logistics and trade. MENTA is one of the organisations selected to provide business and innovation support for enterprises and SMEs across the Freeport East area, and will include digital and trade-related businesses in their new programme.
It will be joined in its endeavours by:
• A consortium of further education providers, led by Suffolk New College, who will provide a range of specialist skills support across the Freeport East area, designed to support learners of all ages into future opportunities in growth sectors
• Road to Logistics helps to attract new talent into the transport and logistics sectors, particularly by focusing on individuals who need specialist support to enter the industry
• Reboot Education offers alternative education for children aged 7 to 16, focusing on IT and computer science qualifications
• Stempoint will organise workshops for the energy sector aimed at students in years 6-8 including in Harwich and Felixstowe
• Aspire Education provides mentoring provision for year 12-13 students and will focus its support in Tendring
From Tendring and Babergh to East and Mid Suffolk, the Funds are aimed at sectors with the potential to develop stronger local economic clusters, requiring skilled people and highly productive and innovative businesses. This includes clean energy, advanced manufacturing, advanced logistics, educational advancement and agritech - all sectors crucial to the region's long-term economic resilience and competitiveness.
Steve Beel, Chief Executive of Freeport East, said: “Investing in local businesses and growing our workforce is investing in the future of the East of England. The funds not only empower entrepreneurs to advance clean energy and technological developments that will create new economic opportunities for our region, but will also ensure that our local workforce is equipped with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.
“By investing in these high-impact sectors, we're not only supporting local businesses but also setting the stage for a future where our region is at the forefront of high value sectors that build on our local expertise, such as clean energy, trade, agritech and digital.”
Freeport East is one of eight new Freeports in England having received final government approvals on 10th January 2023. It will be a hub for global trade and national regeneration as well as creating a hotbed for innovation that will have impact across the UK.
With its unique global links and existing innovative sectoral clusters, Freeport East will attract inward international investment and drive domestic growth, propelling the country’s economy forward. The Freeport East area covers approximately 45 kilometres across parts of Suffolk and Essex.
The Founding Members of Freeport East Limited are Essex County Council, Suffolk County Council, Tendring District Council, Mid Suffolk District Council, East Suffolk District Council, The Port of Felixstowe, Gateway 14, Harwich International Port, New Anglia LEP and the University of Essex.
