Key targets have been set out for Dorset covering productivity, innovation, earnings and wellbeing.

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is leading on the development of an industrial strategy which will take the county up to 2030.

Local businesses, communities, BCP Council, Dorset Council, universities, colleges and many other local organisations have already contributed to the initial ideas.

Now, Dorset LEP is welcoming wider input and feedback on the proposals which will frame Dorset’s Industrial Strategy.

A one-side summary is available detailing the plans to date and Dorset LEP is inviting feedback via a short online survey which is open until Friday November 8.

The initial targets to be achieved by 2030 are:

• Reduce Dorset’s productivity output gap from £2.5bn to £1bn.
• Halve the wage gap between Dorset and the UK from six per cent to three per cent.
• Reduce the number of 50-64 year olds with no formal qualifications from six per cent to four per cent.
• Reduce the number of areas in the Dorset LEP region considered to be in the 20 per cent most deprived by 25 to 20.
• Increase the number of businesses undertaking research and development (R&D) from 20 per cent to 30 per cent.

Jim Stewart, Chair of the Dorset LEP board, said: “These initial plans for Dorset are the product of collaboration between key stakeholders striving for a brighter future for our county.

“I’m excited to share this summary of Dorset’s Local Industrial Strategy with the wider community and look forward to reviewing feedback on the many ways all parties can support our ambitious objectives.”

Dorset LEP is also interested in hearing from individuals and organisations with investment opportunities they may not already be aware of or from those interested in helping take these priorities forward.

The government’s national industrial strategy sets out long-term economic and investment priorities in the UK, with the aim of boosting productivity and helping businesses create good jobs and increase wages with investment in skills, industries and infrastructure.

It is structured around five foundations of productivity: ideas, people, infrastructure, business environment and places.

The strategy also identifies four grand challenges – artificial intelligence & data economy, clean growth, future of mobility, and ageing society – focusing on the global trends that will transform our future.

Dorset’s Local Industrial Strategy will focus on areas of opportunity and growth that build on the unique strengths of the region.

• Have your say by visiting www.dorsetlep.co.uk/local-industrial-strategy.