North East delegation shares learning on economic growth through green transport with international colleagues

A delegation from the North East has been invited by the British Embassy in Berlin to share learning on tackling climate change through sustainable transport, while also creating economic benefits for communities.

Representatives from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (North East LEP), the CBI, Department for Work and Pensions, education providers and Transport North East are exchanging learning with colleagues in Ingolstadt, Bavaria.

Michelle Rainbow, Skills Director at the North East LEP, explained: “The focus of this visit, which is hosted by the British Embassy in Berlin, is to discuss the best ways for a region to develop a skilled workforce for our emerging green transport sector, and how we can bring more and better jobs to our communities.

“We’ll be sharing learning on learning provision for school-leavers, upskilling people who are already in the workforce, and how we can harness the changes we’re seeing – from greener public transport to electric vehicles – to bring economic growth to the North East.”

The delegation is visiting Ingolstadt in Bavaria. The visit will include a roundtable discussion to discuss learning policy at the Bavarian State Chancellery; meetings with skills providers to discuss lifelong learning and skills development; and visits to local vocational colleges, universities and businesses.

“As countries around the world make changes to reach net zero, we’re all adjusting the ways we live and work,” said Michelle Rainbow. “We’re showcasing some of the brilliant work already happening in the North East in terms of our whole-region approach to net zero, while also learning from what’s happening elsewhere in the world – and bringing that learning back to make positive changes here in the North East.

Following the visit, a report and recommendations will be shared with the North East LEP’s Skills Advisory Panel, which supports the drive to improve skills in the North East workforce, and with partners and policy-makers across the region and nationally.

The visit has been instigated and hosted by the British Embassy in Berlin. Find out more about the North East LEP’s work to raise skills levels at www.northeastlep.co.uk.