Cheshire and Warrington LEP launches youth board

Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has established a youth board to help deliver an ambitious post-COVID vision for the region.

The seven-strong board will agree its priorities over the coming weeks, focusing on major challenge areas that will influence how successfully our region creates opportunities for future generations.

High on the agenda will be current challenges such as COVID-19 recovery as well as longer-term issues such as tackling the challenges of climate change on our local environment; how we can develop an economy that everyone can benefit from; and creating career opportunity and high-quality jobs.

‘Our economy is facing one of the most challenging on record, so it’s absolutely vital the voices of our younger people are both heard and contribute to planning what post Covid-19 looks like for our region,’ said LEP chair, Clare Hayward.

‘The LEP board has a vision to be the UK’s healthiest, most sustainable, inclusive and growing economy – global challenges, not just local – with the decisions we take now central to ensuring our region is fit for the future. The youth board will be integral part of that.

‘We are delighted that following an application and interview process seven board members have been appointed, and we are looking forward to working alongside them.’

The board will now appoint their chair and collectively determine the additional skills and interests needed as they recruit to fill the remaining board places. All members of the board live or work in Cheshire and Warrington and are between 18-27.

One of the youth board members, Joe Toward, added: ‘The youth board is an innovative LEP program that ensures young people, from students to young professionals, are heard. This board has the potential to support important work which can positively impact the next generation in Cheshire and Warrington.

‘I feel privileged to work with the LEP as a board member to bring forward business growth, increase opportunity, and strengthen the Northern Powerhouse.’

Photo Credit – StartUpStockPhotos (Pixabay)