THIS week, the latest round of the Government’s flagship growth scheme is set to open amid concerns that it is woefully under-funded, and failing to create the predicted number of jobs.

Round Six of the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) will invite firms and organisations to submit detailed bids for funding which is likely to be paid out months or years after approval. In many cases, the cash is not paid out at all.

The Public Accounts Committee recently criticised departments for issuing a tiny fraction of RGF monies to businesses, and for making overblown claims about creating jobs.

The number of jobs created or safeguarded since the £2.6bn fund was set up in 2012 had increased by 22,100 to 44,400.

But about half were covered by only five schemes, while the average cost for each additional job had increased from £33,000 to £37,400, a National Audit Office report said earlier this year, noting

£492m had now reached projects, but most of the fund remained unspent, with £425m held by intermediaries.

The Government launched the fund to support private firms in English regions, especially in areas dependent on public sector employment.

There is no doubt that some of our region's companies, such as Nifco UK, Tinsley Special Products and Cleveland Potash, have used RGF as a means of underpinning their growth plans. But the next government must address the scheme's shortcomings if it is serious about creating jobs in hard hit areas.

A REGULAR correspondent to Jobs&Business tells me that she has a serious aversion to overblown job titles.

I must admit that I share her distaste for the growing trend that sees the likes of ‘recruiters’ and ‘salespeople’ now described as ‘talent delivery specialists’ and ‘brand champions.’

Universities are among the worst offenders for such gobbledygook, or jobbledygook as it has doubtless been dubbed.

My friend cited the recent report of a local academic who was being promoted from the position of Dean of Knowledge, Exchange and Impact to Pro Vice Chancellor for Engagement and Internationalisation.

Please send your examples of daft job titles to andy.richardson@nne.co.uk

I ENJOY receiving random emails from firms across the globe that are pitching their wares.

This week, a Mr Ali, who specialises in all kinds of gloves, from masonic regalia gloves to driving gloves, got in touch. If nothing else Mr Ali deserves to win some business for his incredibly polite closing remarks, which implored me to: “Kindly have business connection with our company. By the grace of God you will get excellent resluts (sic). We use the required material according to the instructions of our worthly customers.”

Cheers Mr Ali but I fear that I am not worthly of your very kind offer.

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