Freeport already delivering more well paid jobs

PLYMOUTH’S Freeport has been the stimulus for the creation of 100 carpentry jobs in the city’s shipbuilding industry and is set to open up many more job opportunities and raise wages in what is claimed to be one of the most disadvantaged areas of the country.

- ALISON STEPHENSON

Described this week as a ‘great collaboration’ between City College Plymouth, Princess Yachts and Plymouth City Council (PCC), the jobs will help to accelerate the growth of the luxury yacht manufacturer which was in danger of being held back by skill shortages.

Members of PCC’s growth and infrastructure overview and scrutiny committee were told that the Freeport was about to ‘turbo charging’ what Plymouth had wanted to do for a long time to grow industry, re-invest, innovate and provide well paid jobs.

Council leader Tudor Evans said that private sector investment in the Freeport was expected to reach £300 million and provide 3,584 jobs from starter roles to high value technical jobs, with 2,745 of these being above the average wage nationally which was “much better than what you normally see in Plymouth.”