SOUTH WEST BUSINESS NEWS A lack of digital


inform


skills in the region Almost half (47%) of South West residents lack the full essential digital skills set required for the modern workplace, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Consumer Digital Index. The study found that some


people in the South West are unable to use digital skills in the workplace to problem solve, communicate or operate safely online when required in the workplace. Outside of the workplace, 18%


lack the full essential digital skills they need, meaning they struggle with tasks like changing settings on a device (13%), connecting to wi-fi (13%) and updating passwords (12%). Thirteen per cent had little or no digital skills and classified themselves as ‘digitally disengaged’, slightly higher than the national UK average (12%). Stephen Noakes, Lloyds Banking


Group ambassador for the South West, said: “While most people have some level of digital capability there are a significant number of residents in the South West that don’t have full essential digital skills, making it hard to access new work opportunities and keep up with friends and family. Of course, it can also have a huge impact in the workplace too, where there is an increasing reliance on digital capabilities. “As part of our commitment to


helping the region prosper we’re launching a digital academy in Bristol later this summer, to help South West residents unlock the benefits that being online can bring.”


Charting airport’s journey


A newly published report highlights a decade of transformational change at Bristol Airport, a Business West Initiative member. The Annual Monitoring Report published on the Airport’s web site (www.bristolairport.co.uk) shows that while passenger numbers have continued to increase, the number of flights in 2018 was only marginally above the 2008 total. During the same period, the


number of destinations served has significantly increased to nearly 130 across 30 countries, connecting people from our region across the globe. This has enabled over 30% more passengers to fly today from their local airport. At the same time, the airport has


actively worked towards improvements in reducing its environmental footprint including halving the CO2 emissions per passenger, reduction in waste, with zero waste going into landfill and


waste recycling doubling. Public transport has seen a five per cent share increase in passengers use with a million passengers alone using the upgraded A1 Flyer service (between Bristol Airport and the city) each year, and 500 bus services operating to and from the airport each day. In December


Dave Lees, chief executive ‘The


2018 Bristol Airport submitted a planning application to North Somerset Council seeking permission to increase capacity to handle up to 12 million passengers a year by the mid- 2020s. The proposals represent the first practical step towards an exciting vision to develop the region’s international gateway and working towards becoming a carbon neutral airport.


transformation over the last 10 years highlights the growing importance of the airport’


officer at Bristol Airport, said: “The transformation over the past 10 years highlights the growing importance of the airport to the region it serves. “Looking forward Bristol Airport will need to actively work towards a lower carbon future in parallel with its


aspirations to support its growth.


The latest CCC (Climate Change Commission) report


underpins the importance of


the issue of climate change and the level of ambition which aviation needs to meet moving forward. “Bristol Airport recognises this challenge and will be publishing its Sustainable Growth Strategy this year along with a carbon road map to deliver carbon neutrality.”


Support for energy projects


A new fund to help small and medium-sized businesses improve their energy efficiency and support community energy projects is being launched by the West of England Combined Authority. The West of England Low


Carbon Challenge Fund will run over the next three years and will open to eligible applicants across Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Applications for West of England Green Business Grants will be open in July, with


between £1,000-£15,000 cashback available for improvements to the energy efficiency of buildings and/or purchases to improve business operations, such as more efficient production or refrigeration equipment. The West of England Local


Energy Scheme, which will support small scale, renewable energy projects, will open to applications in early 2020. Regional mayor Tim Bowles said:


“We know we all need to do more to tackle climate change and this new fund will help businesses and


community groups make their buildings and activities more energy efficient. It will help protect the climate and environment upon which we and future generations depend and builds on our emerging Local Industrial Strategy.” The fund is supported with £1.7m


from the European Regional Development Fund.


Grants will be made available for


up to 40% of eligible costs, leading to £4.2m in investment in low carbon schemes. The West of England Combined Authority also hosts the South West Energy Hub which supports a range of different projects, from retrofitting energy efficiency measures in the home, business and the public sector, to generating electricity and heat through renewable or low carbon energy sources.


For more information on the West of England Green Business Grants, the Local Energy Scheme Low Carbon Challenge Fund and the South West Energy Hub visit: www.westofengland- ca.gov.uk/clean-growth


8 insight JULY/AUGUST 2019


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