Regional Profile , Content

Overview of Kettering Kettering’s Economy Kettering Northamptonshire’s Strategic Economic Plan Statistics for Kettering Workforce Skills Summary

> > Overview of Kettering

Recent History

Kettering grew up in the 19th century with the development of the boot and shoe industry, for which Northamptonshire as a whole became famous. Many large homes in both the Headlands and Rockingham Road were built Population 93,800 for factory owners while terraced streets provided accommodation for the It is situated about 81 miles from . Kettering is mainly situated workers. The industry has markedly declined since the 1970s, large footwear on the west side of the , a tributary of the which manufacturers such as Dolcis, Freeman, Hardy and Willis, Frank Wright and meets at . Originally named Cytringan, Kyteringas and Timpsons, having left the town or closed down in the face of stiff overseas Keteiringan in the 10th century, the name Kettering is now taken to competition, while others have outsourced their production to lower-cost mean ‘the place (or territory) of Ketter’s people (or kinsfolk)’. countries. Only two smaller footwear businesses remain. European Parliament Kettering Today In the European Parliament, Kettering falls within the East Kettering is a local government district and borough in Northamptonshire, European Parliament constituency and is represented by 5 MEPs. . It borders onto the District of Harborough in the neighbouring county of , the Borough of , the District of , the District of and the Borough of Wellingborough.

> > Kettering’s Economy

Kettering’s economy is based on service and distribution industries due to its central location and transport links.

Kettering is the home of Kettering General Hospital, which provides The Acute and Accident & Emergency department services for including Corby and Wellingborough. With its The Borough of Kettering comprises the growth town of Kettering new £20 million campus, 16,000 students and 800 staff, Tresham and a number of other small towns and villages. The area has College of Further and Higher Education is a significant employer in an industrial manufacturing heritage although production the region. sectors, whilst still important, make up a smaller proportion of its workforce today. Major employers include Weetabix, Alpro, Kettering is at the very heart of North Northamptonshire and given Morrisons, E Surv Surveyors and the former Shoe and Allied Trades its central location, Kettering is perfectly placed to benefit from the Association, Satra. Kettering town has the largest town centre in significant growth opportunities in housing and employment that North Northamptonshire. are being delivered in the area. The aim of Kettering is to maintain the position of the town in Recognised as being the retail centre for the surrounding area, the retail hierarchy, through an improved shopping centre with Kettering is undergoing a transformation that will see further a greater range of retailers. There is also emphasis on improving improvements to the shopping, employment, living and visiting the public realm through the town and improving services to experience. residents and visitors within a leisure quarter. Priority is also placed on new office space alongside the rail station as a strategic location for employment growth in the town. > > Kettering’s Economy

In terms of housing and employment the principal means for delivery are: Kettering’s vision contains three main objectives • Development of East Kettering – 5500 homes, with associated employment and infrastructure, community, education and transportation facilities, and off site highway improvements. • Supporting new housing, jobs and infrastructure • Development of Kettering Energy Park, with combined wind, solar, biomass and other • developing the town centre technologies, and associated research and development jobs, food production and fuel • developing a more skilled production benefits. Ensure green, cheap, and secure energy supply, sufficient to workforce and a better meet the energy needs of Kettering town; accompanied by development education offer of an ESCo by the Council to help residents and businesses make the most of these opportunities.

• Development of urban extensions in Rothwell (up to 1000 homes) (up to 1000 homes), other parts of Kettering (up to 1500 homes).

• Development of land, at key locations alongside the A14 and A43 northern bypass, for new employment growth.

> > Kettering’s Economy

Kettering East average journey time of 59 minutes. St Pancras Natural Geographic Advantage also provides an interchange with the Kettering East Kettering Borough Council has an service to France and Belgium. Kettering is Furthermore, the county of Northamptonshire ambition to unlock development in the east of linked to Corby, , , has a natural geographic advantage: The the borough which would generate an estimated and Sheffield to the north and Wellingborough, major ports of Felixstowe, Southampton, £1.3bn of economic activity through housing, jobs , Luton to the south. Because of good rail Liverpool and Tilbury are all within 3 hours; and infrastructure. This includes a major financial links, a large and growing commuter population its less than one hour to London by train and commitment from private sector partners, including takes advantage of Kettering’s position on the over 95% of the UK’s population is within a General Electric, which will allow Kettering to railway. four hour drive time. effectively cater for all of its current and future energy needs through a low carbon energy park. Airports Schools & Colleges To date, Kettering has achieved two of three stated aims for this project: · Funding has already been Five large UK airports are within 2 hours’ drive of Kettering has four secondary schools, each secured for the widening of the A14. The widening the town, these being London Heathrow, London with the ability to take on students after the is required to unlock growth in Kettering. Luton, , Birmingham International age of 16 to allow students to complete and London Stansted. London Luton can be their A-Levels and BTEC Diplomas. The four Rail Services reached directly by train while East Midlands and secondary schools located in the town are London Stansted can be reached by one change , Kettering Science Rail services operated by East Midlands Trains at Leicester. , located 6 miles Academy, Kettering Buccleuch Academy and depart every 30 minutes from Kettering to St south-west of Kettering, caters for private flying, Southfield School for Girls. Pancras International railway station with an flight training and corporate flights.

> > Kettering’s Economy

Natural Geographic Advantage

Furthermore, the county of Northamptonshire has a natural geographic advantage: The major ports of Felixstowe, Southampton, Liverpool and Tilbury are all within 3 hours; its less than one hour to London by train and over 95% of the UK’s population is within a four hour drive time.

Schools & Colleges

Kettering has four secondary schools, each with the ability to take on students after the age of 16 to allow students to complete their A-Levels and BTEC Diplomas. The four secondary schools located in the town are Bishop Stopford School, Kettering Science Academy, Kettering Buccleuch Academy and Southfield School for Girls.

> > Northamptonshire’s Strategic Economic Plan

Northamptonshire’s strategic economic plan is that by 2021 the region will have delivered 32,500 new jobs and 37,000 new homes and by 2031 increasing to 80,000 new homes and 70,000 new jobs.

Northamptonshire is The Place for Growth - perfectly positioned Skills at the heart of the country and the crossroads of the rail and road network, providing a premier location for inward and local investors. Improving skill levels in Kettering and Northamptonshire is essential to driving economic growth, and meeting the current and future needs of employers. By 2021: Northamptonshire will have emerged stronger from the This needs to operate at both supply and demand level, with the employment economic recession and moved to a path of sustainable and high generated requiring higher level skills and those occupying these positions being economic growth driven by the expansion of its vibrant and diverse better qualified. This will support overall GVA growth and reduce net outward private sector, its key sector strengths and its wide ranging assets employment migration of those best qualified. across the county. The main priority is to address the shortfall of skills at every level, particularly Business Competitiveness to ensure that the current and future needs of employers are met. There is also a need to stimulate the demand for higher skills, as despite having higher The Northamptonshire economy has returned to growth more quickly than average levels of managerial, director and senior official levels; this is not than the national economy. This reflects in part of the dynamism of reflected in comparable qualification levels. Without local demand, such skills the local economy based on SMEs and higher rates of start-ups and will either not be taken-up, or residents with these skills will work outside of self-employment. Northamptonshire and without supply, businesses will move away or establish themselves elsewhere.

> > Northamptonshire’s Strategic Economic Plan Significant development land for employment land

Northamptonshire is extremely fortunate to have significant development land available to accommodate its ever increasing demand for employment land. A number of major sites have therefore been identified to support the 70,000 jobs to be created by 2031, of which it is anticipated that 35,000 will have been created by 2021.

Seven sites have been identified and prioritised by partners, given the capability of these to attract early investment. The prioritised sites are:

Silverstone: 300 hectare site to provide DIRFT, M1 Junction 18 – major rail freight and logistics Stanton Cross Urban Extension, 1 enhancement of F1 and other racing 3 location with a planned third phase providing an 6 Wellingborough: 110 hectares facilities, including provision for the additional 162 hectares of development. employment with mix of uses as part of development of a new industry and a SUE including 3,200 homes; adjacent technology park, hotels and other Kettering East: a total of 50 hectares of employment land to A45 and A14 linking to M1 and A1. associated facilities; adjacent to the A43, 4 north and south of the main east west A14/M6 from Port proximity to the M1 and M40. of Felixstowe to the rest of the UK; predominantly office Warth Park, East Northamptonshire: and industrial space, adjacent to renewable energy park. 7 32 hectare site focused on logistics and Waterside Enterprise distribution development, adjacent to 2 Zone: The largest Enterprise Zone in the Rockingham Park, Corby: 84 hectares of development A45 and with easy access to main East country with 20 investment sites alongside 5 land surrounding the Rockingham Motor Speedway west A14/M6. the River Nene in Northampton; with at Corby with a focus on manufacturing and High Northampton being adjacent to the M1. Performance Technology Companies. > > Statistics for Kettering Occupation; Education; Unemployment & Age

Kettering Social Grade & Occupation Statistics Social grade is a classification based on occupation and it enables a household and all its members to be classified according to the job of the main income earner.

Grade Kettering Northamptonshire England AB 20.38% 21.29% 22.96% Kettering Education Statistics C1 29.51% 30.16% 30.92% C2 24.39% 22.47% 20.64% These statistics are for the highest level education obtained by the residents DE 25.73% 26.08% 25.49% of Kettering and are from the UK Census of 2011. Kettering has a high level of residents with either no qualifications or qualifications equal to 1 or more Kettering Property Ownership & Rental Statistics GCSE at grade D or below, than the national average.

Grade Kettering Northamptonshire England Owned 30.4% 29.1% 30.6% Grade Kettering Northamptonshire England Mortgage 39% 38.7% 32.8% No Qualifications 22.8% 22.3% 22.5% Shared 0.9% 0.9% 0.8% Level 1 15.5% 15.2% 13.3% Social Rented (Council) 8.8% 8.3% 9.4% Level 2 17% 16.6% 15.2% Social Rented (Housing Assoc) 4.2% 6.9% 8.3% Apprenticeship 4.3% 4.1% 3.6% Private Rented 13.9% 13.4% 15.4% Level 3 11.8% 11.9% 12.4% Other 1.3% 1.2% 1.4% Level 4 23.3% 24.1% 27.4% Rent Free 1.4% 1.3% 1.3% Other 5.3% 5.8% 5.7%

> > Statistics for Kettering Occupation; Education; Unemployment & Age

Kettering Benefits & Unemployment Statistics (December 2014) Kettering Age Distribution Statistics

Benefit Kettering Northamptonshire England The population of Kettering as a whole is older than the national average. Jobseekers Allowance (only) 3.4% 3.2% 3.3% The population of Kettering is also older than the Northamptonshire average, Incapacity Benefits (IB or ESA) 2.1% 1.9% 2.4% making Kettering an older person’s location. Any Benefit (includes in work benefits) 12.9% 12.1% 13.5%

Age Kettering Northamptonshire England In December 2014 Kettering had 1,000 people unemployed (95 unemployed Age 0 to 4 6.7% 6.6% 6.3% aged between 18-24). In December 2013 1,634 were registered unemployed Age 5 to 9 6% 6% 5.6% Age 10 to14 6% 6.1% 5.8% (drop of 634). Age 15 to 17 3.7% 3.8% 3.7% Age 18 to 24 7.5% 8% 9.4% The 18-24 year old claimant rate in Northamptonshire was 2.3% in December Age 25 to 29 6.2% 6.3% 6.9% 2014; a further 0.2%-points drop compared with the previous month and Age 30 to 44 21.5% 21.2% 20.6% lower than the 2.9% England average. Age 45 to 59 19.6% 0.2% 19.4% Age 60 to 64 6.6% 6.4% 6% Age 65 to 74 8.7% 8.4% 8.6% Age 75 to 84 5.1% 4.9% 5.5% Age 85 and over 2.3% 2% 2.3% Mean Age 39.5 39.1 39.3 Median Age 40 39 39

> > Workforce Skills

Employers in Kettering and throughout Northamptonshire Why is workforce planning should recruit locally, appreciate community talent and important?

nurture a skilful neighbouring workforce Workforce planning enables a city to improve efficiency, effectiveness and Just by tapping into the numbers of unemployed young people in Kettering, a company productivity by having employees with the is not only providing jobs but will be allowing those young people to present fresh right knowledge and skills and who are a ideas, vision and inspiration which are the necessities of every organisation. good fit for the job they are in, which in turn strengthens an organisation’s capacity to At PMP Recruitment we constantly research and study statistics and skill shortages and achieve business targets. have learned that by the time today’s primary school children are capable of work, the UK will then need over two million additional engineers and if these cannot be filled By boosting skills companies will see there will be devastating consequences for the UK economy, as engineering is central their level of productivity increase and to future economic growth of any city and nation. business will play its part by improving competitiveness, in addition furthering Why should Kettering develop skills for its local economy? opportunities for young people by way of apprenticeships and more training Workforce planning is a continuous process of shaping the workforce to ensure that it for older workers is crucial. is capable of delivering organisational objectives now and in the future; thus every town and city needs a strong and proficient workforce to enable it to prosper and to actively compete in today’s increasingly competitive global market.

> > Summary Addressing Youth Unemployment

Fresh ideas Young people often have an abundance of energy and a natural thirst for knowledge, which can rub off on colleagues and help invigorate It is also important to remember that any young person could be the next Bill Gates the workplace. or Mark Zuckerberg. Furthermore, although they lack experience, new young people are In December 2014 – Kettering had 95 young people unemployed generally easier to train, due to being driven and eager to excel. As a recruitment agency we witness how young people tend to push themselves, wanting to make a lasting impression and prove what they can do. Their sheer determination to complete their work Employee skills and the ability of employers can inspire colleagues around them. Therefore, if a company puts sufficient time and thought into to attract and retain skilled workers will recruiting young people, it can subsequently provide a very positive return on investment. be central to Kettering’s economic success over the next decade. There are clear business benefits to employing young people

It is crucial for the wellbeing of young people that businesses take real ownership for skills development and good job creation – it is by local employers accepting responsibility that the whole community of Kettering and Northamptonshire will achieve a positive impact and sustainable employment.

> > Summary PMP’s Objective

PMP Recruitment understand that every organisation needs a constant supply of candidates with the necessary skills because this is the foundation of business success and appreciate that it is the educational policies, not economic conditions, which is the essential element of confronting our present global talent mismatch.

PMP Recruitment constantly endeavour to develop and nurture relationships which they have with all their candidates on their database, as well as continually seeking and engaging with new candidates to attract fresh talent.

PMP Recruitment recognises, completely, that the long-term economic health of towns and cities rests on investment in citizens’ skills and professional qualifications.

Also as a recruitment agency we acknowledge our responsibility “that we must always be at the forefront of industry knowledge.”

> > Be Knowledgeable