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Case Studies |
Examples from Partners
Scotland
Inverurie
Business Diversification
 Inverurie has long been a rural service centre and has a market town ‘feel’. It has strong traditional industries of agriculture, manufacturing, and paper-making, with a whole range of oil-related industries which have developed over the past 20 years. There is an emphasis on business diversification, tourism and use of the internet for business. There is a high level of business start up. Family businesses are a particular feature of the town, especially in the retail sector.
Current issues are the need for a continuing supply of land for business growth and development, and the need to stem ‘retail leakage’ to Aberdeen (though, interestingly, there are signs that Inverurie is now beginning to attract people out of Aberdeen due to the attractiveness of town, the quality of shops, and the availability of parking).
Contact: Ian Fowell email
Sweden
Kungälv
Arbetslivscentrum (ALC) (Centre for working Life)
The main tasks for the work for unemployed youths at ALC are to strengthen, support and provide motivation measures and to act as intermediary to the labour market by providing practical vocational training places. These measures have resulted in an increased confidence for the youths and as well as an increased possibility to earn one's living. On a yearly basis approximately 200 to 250 youths are engaged in measures provided by the ALC at the Kungälv municipality. The majority of these have been standing outside the labour market. The main assigners for ALC are Arbetsförmedling (employment service), Försäkringskassan (social insurance office) and the Socialtjänsten (social services).
Working methods and tools
- A close and constructive collaboration with assigners, the business world and providers of education and training.
- Practical vocational training places provided in collaboration with private municipal companies.
- Intermediaries of holidays works
- Tailor made education programs and lectures, as for example motivations training, courses for how to successfully apply for a job, mental training, education in the recruitment process etc.
- Career and education coaching
- Facilities for work capacity testing and training
- Active coaching of participants in internal and external measures.
- Collaboration with the local labour market and recruitment companies.
Stromstad
Business Competence Co-operation in Strömstad
The nature of industry and business has changed a lot recently - production is more sophisticated and efficient which means that less people can produce the same quantity as earlier. The production units need a more qualified handling and consequently the companies have to provide the employees a further education. In a small town far from qualified educational organizers, there will be a challenge to keep staff knowledgeable and competitive. In Stromstad, a joint initiative between public and private employers was formed called ‘Competence Cooperation in Stromstad’ (CCS). The basic aim with CCS is to coordinate the local companies demand in different subjects and instead of sending people away the course participants, the CCS coordinator brings the organizer to Stromstad. The lessons and training is held locally and thus much cheaper for the employers.
Since both the local authority and big companies participate, the activities are rather comprehensive. This gives small companies access to education which otherwise would have been outwith their reach.
Hel
‘The Local Centre of First Sales of Fish’ – a shared fishmarket resource
 The project is an example of reducing the retreat from the traditional profession of fishery in the north coastal towns by facilitating the sales for local fishermen. The idea was to prepare a place for a professional fishmarket. The project was introduced in a few coastal towns, including Hel. The appointed building was modernized and equipped with professional facilities to prepare the fish for sales. The following equipment was bought: Freezers for cold stores; Appliances for internal transport (forklifts, etc.); Disinfectants; Sanitation; and other necessary equipment.
The fishermen gained a place better adapted to contemporary needs of customers and some new positions were created for sellers. In the centre of the building, fresh goods are stored in proper conditions and the quality is sustained. It is a place where local fishermen cooperate with producers and thus increases the fishermens’ competitiveness and profits. The ‘Local Centre of First Sales of Fish’ enables the cooperation with foreign partners and producers because it fulfils European hygiene requirements. The project was co-financed by European Union (Phare programme).
Examples from Elsewhere
Fairfield, Iowa (population 9,500):
Entrepreneurial Excellence – example of fostering businesses
Fairfield is a small town in rural Iowa. Its economy was based around Parson’s College, the town’s largest employer. When the college closed in 1973 the local community was left with soaring unemployment rates and little economic opportunity. Fairfield was poorly located away from major transport links, which discouraged business investment. In 1979-80 the former Parson’s College campus became the Maharishi University of Management (MUM). MUM’s unique educational programmes drew students and practitioners from across the globe. These new members of the community played an important role in making Fairfield part of an international business and technology network. The local community and government recognised the potential of this and became committed to making the most of Fairfield’s new asset. As a result, the Fairfield Entrepreneur’s Association was founded in 1989. It has remained a community-based voluntary organisation, using a significant portion of its annual budget for local education programmes and peer-to-peer support for new local businesses. Its main focus has been on supporting start-up businesses, with great success. Between 1990 and 2005 Fairfield has seen $250million invested in 50 new companies creating 3,000 new local jobs. (www.cvcia.org)
Wellington, England (population 13,700)
Marketing Employment – example of partnership working
Wellington is an expanding town in the county of Somerset. It has a narrow economic base, with nearly one-third of the population employed in the manufacturing industry. Between 1998 and 2005, the town experienced a net loss of 13% of employment, including a 20% loss in the manufacturing industry. In spite of this it is experiencing a growth in the working age population, leading to high rates of unemployment. The average wage earned within the town is well below the national average, resulting in a declining quality of life. The town was included in a county-wide partnership aimed at improving rural economic development. This partnership brought together county councils, district councils, skills development agencies, employment centres, business networks and the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry representatives. It is supported and funded by the European Social Fund. The strategy developed for Wellington was part of a larger marketing strategy. Stated goals included diversifying the local economy, developing new skills among local residents, and making the town attractive to new business investment by capitalising on the good transport links within the town. The market town project is still ongoing, but a new business park located near Wellington has attracted new investment in the town. (www.markettownsemployment.org.uk)
Donald, QLD Australia (population 1,800)
Filling Market Gaps
Donald suffered economic decline in 1980 following the relocation of the Donald Meatworks, the centralisation of the railway, and withdrawal of state agency services. A public meeting held in 1985 in response to this decline resulted in the formation of the Donald Development Company (DDC). This formed a partnership between local councillors and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, the local Farmers Federation and the community. The DDC worked to identify gaps in the market and then advertised in newspapers and magazines around the country for businesses and tradesmen willing to relocate. Suitable applicants were offered a AUD$800 relocation package and six months free rent. This innovative approach to attracting businesses boasted great success, reviving the local community. 23 new businesses opened, creating 100 new jobs. In addition to this initiative, the local community banded together to support their existing talents. The local investment strategy included local residents investing their own money for neighbours to start up new businesses. One result of this initiative saw five residents donating AUD$5,000 each to start a confectionary business. The company now employs 25 people and celebrates a AUD$1.5 million turnover. (www.ncrcrd.iastate.edu/projects/benedum/index.htm)
Principal Contacts
Action for Market Towns www.towns.org.uk
ECOVAST www.ecovast.org
Transport 2 Employment www.t2e.org.uk
See also UK regeneration sites www.renewal.net or www.regen.net or www.regeneration-uk.com
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