A GRAND vision to create 100,000 jobs is ahead of schedule and could be extended to help the region fulfil its potential, regeneration bosses have claimed.

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NElep) will this morning (Friday, March 10) unveil its refreshed strategic economic plan.

Officials say the update will show the region is ahead of a ten-year target to create 100,000 new and better jobs by 2024, with more than 53,000 delivered since 2014 alone and 63 per cent classed as higher-skilled roles.

They added further progress will be supported by a focus on improving skills, delivering greater financial backing and better transport links, and support to turn the area into a hotbed for science and innovation.

Andrew Hodgson, NElep chairman, said it remains critical that progress is maintained, revealing job growth in the North-East increased at a rate of 6.6 per cent in the last two years, outshining a national figure of 5.4 per cent.

He added the refreshed plan, which supersedes a 2014 version, would provide a solid foundation to ensure the region remains in a strong position to bid for new investment.

He said: “Now is the right time to be more ambitious for the North-East.

“The progress we have made towards the targets we set out in 2014 has exceeded our expectations.

“Our aim will be to reach our target of 100,000 more and better jobs early and stretch that further.

“Given the need to address the productivity challenge, it is particularly encouraging the percentage of better jobs created has reached 63 per cent, already ahead of our original target.”

To highlight NElep’s plans, business leaders will this morning back the updated proposals during a meeting at the Hilton Hotel, in Gateshead.

Speakers will include Sarah Green, CBI director of member relations and regions and nations, and John Cridland, chairman of Transport for the North.

Ms Green added: “The North-East business community has fully endorsed the plan, which drew heavily on business input during its consultation process.

“The CBI places huge importance on regional growth to fuel national economic performance.”

NElep’s vision comes after it published the North-East Independent Economic Review, led by Lord Adonis, in 2013, which laid the foundations for its strategic economic plan.

That plan set out the factors needed to deliver 100,000 additional jobs over the next decade.