The Ashford Ambition: jobs, skills and inclusive growth to 2030 and beyond

Ashford Borough Council commissioned Work Advance and Experian to assess the borough's labour market and skills, and to set a long-term vision to inform its Corporate Plan, Economic Development Strategy and Local Plan.

Our assessment revealed a clear skills gap with the wider region. 11.8% of workers held degree-level qualifications, against 14.9% across the South East, while higher-skilled occupations made up 38% of jobs, against 51% regionally. Around 3,875 local jobs were at high risk of automation, and in rural areas more than one in five adults had no formal qualifications.

Using Experian's forecasts, we modelled five scenarios for jobs and skills to 2040. Nearly 100 stakeholders tested them at a visioning event. They rejected a 'high-speed' path that would have grown low-paid, low-skilled work, in favour of targeted growth in good-quality jobs that local people can access.

Nine months of engagement with employers, education providers, residents and council leaders shaped the final Ambition. Its work and skills priorities include stronger links between schools, Ashford College and employers, more technical education and apprenticeships, and better adult literacy, numeracy and digital skills.

By 2040, the Ambition aims to create more than 22,500 additional jobs and cut unemployment to 2.9%. It sets out how to build a stronger skills base, strengthen technical pathways and promote a culture of lifelong learning, so the workforce can adapt to technological change.