Member Article

Nexus opens new doors in enterprise zone

An East Anglia-based training firm has made a move into the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Enterprise Zone.

Nexus, which provides engineering training to business employees and students, said it will benefit from being in amongst other businesses in the engineering and energy sectors.

The Enterprise Zone is situated inside the East of England Energy Zone, which is home to businesses with a total turnover of £12.9 bn and is home to approximately 103,400 employees.

Beneficial facilities such as an energy/renewables laboratory will be available to Nexus, as well as 3D design equipment, computer suites and engineering and manufacturing training areas.

Nexus’ centre manager, Keith Loveys, commented: “Being based in the Enterprise Zone enables us to have business rates relief. “We will make significant cost savings which we can plough back into Nexus year after year.

Also, our premises are easily accessible by car or local transport from both Suffolk and Norfolk, which is useful for trainees and staff.“

The East of England Energy Zone said it will invest more than £50bn capital expenditure in the next two decades to boost energy output from the region.

Offshore wind farms, oil and gas exploration, decommissioning and development of nuclear facilities, gas storage and platform decommissioning will all have money pumped into them by the Zone.

Andy Wood, Chairman of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership said: “Nexus will play a pivotal role in understanding and delivering the skills needed by the engineering and energy industries now, and in the future.”

Nexus will be one recipient of start-up funding made available by the Norfolk County Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

Ann Steward, cabinet member for economic development at Norfolk Council, said: “The County Council has played a key role in helping to develop and fund the Nexus Centre, as it will be a crucial facility that ensures that local residents have the skills to access employment in the engineering and energy sectors over the coming years.

“It is vital that we do all we can to ensure that local residents and local businesses benefit from the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Enterprise Zone continuing to attract related business to the area.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .