Globalisation – the opening up of markets that allows businesses to
trade around the world – is transforming the region’s economy
and its jobs market, and the Government wants to help young people to equip
themselves with the right skills.
A cross-Government task force, set up by Prime Minister Gordon Brown,
launched a series of books in regions across the UK to illustrate exactly
what globalisation means to people living and working in our towns and
cities.
Today, one of the world’s best known companies – Rolls-Royce,
in Derby – was venue for an event to publicise this region’s
publication: FutureStory Derby and the East Midlands.
The event drew students from the University of Derby, academics,
entrepreneurs and Government representatives.
Minister for the East Midlands Phil Hope MP said:
“You just have to look at those international companies based in
this region – Rolls-Royce, Speedo and Pepsi to name a few –
to see how globalisation is helping to employ many thousands of people
across the East Midlands.
“Alongside those large multi-national companies, you have
hundreds of smaller businesses the length and breadth of the region
which are inventing new technologies and taking advantage of digital
technologies to serve customers around the world.
“It is essential in this global age, therefore, that our young
people are ready as they embark on their careers to take advantage of
the exciting opportunities on offer.”
FutureStory, which illustrates how globalisation is changing the lives of
people in six cities around the country, was produced by the Talent and
Enterprise Taskforce.
It features a book and DVD highlighting successes on the world stage
achieved by the public, private and voluntary sectors.
FutureStory Derby and the East Midlands charts how the region has built on
an impressive history of achievement, including the inventions of the jet
engine and DNA fingerprinting, to become a world leader in the transport
industry.
Lucy Parker, who chairs the Talent and Enterprise Taskforce,
said:
“Britain’s
cities have always depended on enterprising people and innovative
businesses for their success. With increasing global
competition,
this is truer
than ever.
“So the ‘future story’ of Derby and the rest of the
East Midlands is all about identifying the building blocks for future
growth to help us create the jobs and industries of the
future.”
Other companies featured in the book include international manufacturer
Penine Health, which employs nearly 300 people in Derby.
Liz Fothergill, who runs the family business,
says:
“Certainly
we see ourselves as part of a global market. There are the multinationals
and then there are the smaller companies like ourselves.
“And I think we all have something to gain from globalisation.
And, of course, those now emerging markets, in themselves, are becoming
important.”
