Locate in Kent Skills ServiceFree expert advice to enhance your workforceOctober 2017

Locate in Kent understands the importance of finding the right people and skills for your business. Our specialist skills adviser and support service aims to help businesses make sense of a complicated and ever-changing system; connect with the right organisations; and access services which can help companies boost business. We’re also working behind the scenes with our partners to influence the skills services that are on offer and being developed, sharing the intelligence we gather on specific needs and shaping the strategy for the future.

Our service is confidential, impartial and completely free of charge.

Locate in Kent people and skills support.

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Helping your company make the most of the education and skills system in Kent.

Recruitment Organisations We work closely with a number of Kent and Medway-based recruitment companies, search and selection consultants, local authority welfare-to-work and supported employment schemes to help you find the right talent for your workforce.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

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Kent Further EducationFind skilled staff and trainees through our extensive network of well-respected FE colleges, offering a range of 16-18 education and training, apprenticeships, higher education and adult learning programmes.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

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Kent Association of Training OrganisationsWe can introduce you to over 60 members, including local and national organisations, private and public sector, offering apprenticeships, work-based training and business training.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

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Kent and Medway UniversitiesWe can provide access to academic experts, professional education, graduate recruitment, internships, research and innovation, and higher and degree apprenticeships through our four local universities.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

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Kent and Medway SchoolsGain access to a wide range of selective and non-selective schools through university and further education partners and dedicated education-business links organisations, such as EBP Kent, Medway EBP, CxK and the Kent Enterprise Adviser Network.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

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National Networks We can provide access to national recruitment and training specialist providers through our national networks and links to the Department for International Trade.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

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CANTERBURY

THANET

DOVER

SHEPWAY

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

DARTFORD

SEVENOAKSTONBRIDGE & MALLING

MAIDSTONE

ASHFORD

SWALE

GRAVESHAM

MEDWAY

18

17

16

15

14

1312

11

11

11

1

2 2

3

5

5 6

7

8

8

89

7

7

8

6

4

4

Kent and Medway education and skills key locations

Specialist Centres 11 Hadlow College, Medway and

Canterbury (Land-based)

12 Sustainable Construction Skills Centre Dartford (SUSCON, NKC)

13 Bluewater Learning Shop (Retail, NKC)

14 National Sea Training Centre (Gravesend)

15 Swale Skills Centre (Engineering and Sustainable Technologies), Sittingbourne

16 Discovery Park Life Sciences Industry Liaison Lab (CCCU)

17 Engineering, Design, Growth & Enterprise (EDGE) Hub (CCCU, from 2018)

18 Ashford Learning (Ashford College)

Further and Higher Education 1 West Kent College (Tonbridge)

2 North Kent College (Gravesend, Dartford, Bluewater Learning Shop)

3 University of Greenwich (Medway)

4 Mid-Kent College (Maidstone, Medway)

5 University for the Creative Arts (Canterbury, Medway)

6 University of Kent (Canterbury, Medway)

7 Canterbury & East Kent College (Canterbury, Sheerness, Dover, Folkestone, Discovery Park)

8 Canterbury Christ Church University (Canterbury, Medway, Tunbridge Wells, Discovery Park)

9 Ashford College (Ashford)

LOCATIONS

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Why Kent?

WHY KENT?

Kent makes business senseThe business case for setting up or expanding in Kent has never been stronger. Positioned between London and Europe and experiencing impressive growth and regeneration, Kent offers unrivalled benefits that not only make good business sense but create the ideal place for your workforce and family to thrive in.

Even better connectedAs the only UK county with the High Speed 1 rail network, Kent offers quick and convenient access to markets like no other. Businesses can access London in just 17 minutes and Paris and Brussels in under two hours. With the Port of Dover and five other seaports located within the county, import/export operations are well supported and International airports such as London Heathrow and Gatwick are easily accessible within an hour. Digital connectivity is also an asset in Kent, with 92% of homes and businesses having access to superfast broadband.

Top quality, low costsIn Kent, commercial property costs are up to 60% cheaper than London and 15% lower than the rest of the South East. Great value for money can also be seen across residential property with average house prices 33% cheaper than London. Kent also boasts two Enterprise Zones (Discovery Park and North Kent) offering business rate savings of up to £275,000 over five years and there are a number of funding support schemes available to support growing businesses. Discovery Park is the most successful Enterprise Zone in the UK.

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WHY KENT?

The pick of the crop With a resident population of just over 1.8m, Kent and Medway is the largest of all of the English counties and provides access to a highly-skilled workforce. There are four top universities, including the University of Kent, ranked in the top 25 in the UK which provide a steady pipeline of graduates across key growth sectors each year. A further 25 universities are in an easily commutable 20 mile radius. The median salary in Kent is £4k lower than those in London, making the county extremely good value for money when it comes to finding the right staff for your business.

For business, for work, for lifeKent has just over 350 miles of coastline and with a third of the county designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, it is perfect for people who value quality family time. The county has a rich heritage and its diversity offers an unrivalled lifestyle experience for everyone. With stunning sandy beaches, premium shopping experiences, a number of historic attractions, galleries, theatres, motor racing circuits and over 60 golf courses, it is the optimum destination to benefit from the perfect work/life balance.

Kent is a great place for your family to thrive too, with 23% of the UK’s grammar schools located here, your children and those of your workforce will have the best start in life.

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City Airport

HeathrowAirport

GatwickAirport

StanstedAirport

LutonAirport

SouthendAirport

RAMSGATE

MARGATEHERNE BAY

WHITSTABLE

Dunkirk

Calais

Channel Tunnel

LONDON

FRANCE

Ashford International

Station

London Ashford Airport

ASHFORD

Calais

Ebbsfleet International

Station

Biggin Hill

A28A28

A28M20

A26

M25

M26A20

A2

M2

A2

M20

A2

GRAVESENDDARTFORD

MEDWAY

FOLKESTONE

DOVER

DEAL

CANTERBURY

FAVERSHAM

SITTINGBOURNE

MAIDSTONESEVENOAKS

TONBRIDGE

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

Thamesport

Sheerness

M25

M25

M25M25

M1

M1

M40

M3

M23

StratfordInternational Station

St. PancrasInternational Station

M11

M11

KINGS HILL

KENT

ISLE OF SHEPPEY

Shenfield

Abbey Wood

Paddington

A2

DartfordCrossing

17 56

6957

59

91

38

37

22

80

SANDWICH

90

Motorway North Kent Enterprise Zone

Map key

Main Road

Eurostar RouteHigh Speed 1 Route

Domestic Rail Routes

Ferry/Freight Routes

Universities/ Colleges

Ports

Kent Science ParkDiscovery Park Enterprise Zone

Airport

Journey times to St Pancras

Eurostar Stops

Crossrail Route

Proposed Crossrail Extension

Preferred Lower Thames Crossing route

38

LOCATION WITHIN UK

Kent, the connected county

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LOCATION WITHIN EUROPE

AMSTERDAM

BRUSSELS

PARIS

ROME

PRAGUE

FRANKFURT

BERLIN

COPENHAGEN

MADRID

LISBON

BARCELONA

BERN

WARSAW

VIENNA

KENT

CARDIFF

EDINBURGH

STOCKHOLMTALLIN

RIGA

VILNIUS

HELSINKIOSLO

BIRMINGHAM

NOTTINGHAM

SHEFFIELD

LILLE

REYKJAVIK

LONDON

BUDAPEST

BRATISLAVA

ATHENS

LJUBLJANA

MÜNICH

ZURICH

Domestic Rail Routes

Map key

Eurostar Route

Kent County

European Connections

Kent, the gateway to Europe

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How we can help.

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“OUR PROPOSITION

Locate in Kent. Helping every step of the way.

2. Bespoke to you Our experienced and knowledgeable team is on hand to discuss your requirements and create a bespoke plan, specific to your business needs.

3. SpecialistsOur in-house experts in property, skills, and key industry sectors have an in depth understanding of how to support your business growth and provide guidance on funding and financial incentives.

4. Connecting youOur service also expands into our extensive network of Kent partners, we will put you in touch with the right people who can help with legal advice, accountancy services and marketing support.

5. Supporting youWhen you’re ready to make your move or expansion into Kent, we’ll be here every step of the way, helping you to get a head start for business growth.

6. Moving onwardsOnce you’re settled, we offer ongoing support and advice to help your business succeed.

In addition to our specialist skills support, our team offer guidance on all the components needed for business growth in Kent.

The existence of Locate in Kent’s service and the promise of help now and in the future has had such a big influence, I can say I would not have come to Kent without it.”

Andrew Cock, Managing Director of Multipanel UK

1. Contact usIf you have a question about setting up or expanding in Kent, register online at locateinkent.com/contact, call us on 01732 520700 or email us at enquiries@locateinkent.com and we’ll provide you with the information you need.

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Chris Broom – Head of Investment

Having spent twelve years in the Locate in Kent team, Chris is extremely well

versed in the financial incentives available to businesses. He has established a

strong network of professional intermediaries and industry contacts, has in-depth

knowledge of Kent’s property market and has supported 100s of businesses to

expand or move their business operations into Kent. .

Contact Chris today to discuss your business needsChrisB@locateinkent.com+44 (0)1732 520700

Get in touch