Derek Thomas, the Conservative Prospective MP, welcomed business
owners and community representatives from across West Cornwall to the
conference and introduced an impressive panel of speakers. Julie
Girling MEP, kicked off by emphasising how EU Convergence money must
be used to create new skilled jobs. Pete Matthew, Director of Jacksons
Wealth Management, talked of the possibility of using local wealth to
invest in emerging businesses whilst Bryn Hackland, Director of
Cornwall Cloud Services based at Goonhilly Earth Station, talked about
the growth of the technology industry in this part of the UK. Derek
Thomas, who also chaired the conference than challenged Martin Tucker,
Director of Penwith College, with the task to ensure our workforce had
the training and skills to meet the demands of new employment
opportunities. Mr Tucker responded by demonstrating how Penwith
College was developing bespoke training courses on behalf of employers
and business leaders.
Derek than took questions from conference delegates and a number of
ideas were discussed on how to increase the number of skilled and well
paid jobs in West Cornwall.
Matt Hancock MP, Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills,
concluded the event with a commitment to listen to business leaders
and local representatives and a commitment by the Conservative Party
to continue to do what it can, in Government, to help Cornwall and the
Isles of Scilly to build a stronger economy.
Derek Thomas, who meets with Dr Sandra Rothwell, CEO of the Local
Enterprise Partnership, to continue this discussion this week said,
‘’Addressing the need for more skilled and better paid jobs is the
single most important thing an MP can do if we are serious about
improving peoples quality of life and sharing wealth here in the far
South West. Better wages will help to solve our housing problem and
make our town centres more secure. I do not accept that we must
remain a low wage economy and I am working hard to change things here
in West Cornwall’’
Derek Thomas
Prospective Conservative Member of Parliament
St Ives Constituency
Mobile: 07974 797754.
Email: [email protected]