COUNCILLORS are being asked to approve a County Durham

engineering and manufacturing taskforce to help create jobs, investment and improve skills.

The proposed public and private sector partnership would include business leaders, manufacturing networks and other organisations to support and develop businesses.

Manufacturing is already key to County Durham, employing more than 30,000 people - 15 per cent of residents - across 815 companies. Those figures are set to rise when Hitachi Rail Europe opens its Newton Aycliffe factory in 2016, joining established manufacturers in the county, such as Gestamp Tallent, 3M, Caterpillar, Compound Photonics and Glaxosmithkline.

In addition, the sector boosts incomes. Average annual pay for the North-East is £23,367 and the average manufacturing salary is £29,900.

The taskforce would look at ways of promoting and supporting engineering and manufacturing. This could include a tailored skills programme, targeted inward investment and assistance for companies to win new business.

Cabinet member for economic regeneration, Councillor Neil Foster, said: “We want to build on our success and rubber-stamp County Durham nationally and worldwide as the place for manufacturing. This means even more effort to extend the supply chain, win new companies and helping those already here to develop and grow. It is all about creating more investment and getting new jobs.

“The sensible way ahead is to pool combined resources with those already involved in manufacturing, influential business leaders and organisations set-up to help drive the local economy."

The report on setting up the Manufacturing Opportunities Task and Finish Group goes before Cabinet on November 19.