REDCAR and Cleveland is preparing to welcome HRH The Prince of Wales, to highlight the success of local businesses, the strength of the local community and the work being done since the closure of SSI.
This is the latest of several visits since the last steel crisis of 2010, when The Prince came to show his support for the local community of Redcar.
It takes place on Wednesday 17th February, when the Prince will visit the Redcar and Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart, where he will meet members of the SSI Task Force as well as staff, apprentices and businesses affected by the closure.
The Prince will also meet representatives from local firms who have seen some success recently in growing and creating jobs, as well as members of the Industrial Cadets, a work experience programme inspired by The Prince’s visit in 2010, as they celebrate their fifth anniversary.
The Prince will also visit local firm ElringKlinger to meet staff and apprentices, and hear about the way the company has been providing employment and training opportunities.
His Royal Highness, President of Business in the Community, will also head to Kirkleatham to attend a reception for the charity’s Business Connecters and hear about how these business secondees, industry representatives and civil servants are offering their expertise for the benefit of the local community. The Business Connnectors programme places individuals from business on secondment to support local communities.
The Prince will also visit the new Redcar Joint Cadet Facility to meet young Cadets from the Army Cadet Force and the Air Training Corps and hear about their training.
Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, Councillor Brenda Forster, said: “We are really looking forward to The Prince of Wales’s visit so that he can see first-hand how everyone in the area has pulled together over the last few months to help each other. It’s also a great opportunity to update The Prince on the work we have been doing in the community to help people get back into work.”
Chair of the SSI Task Force and Chief Executive of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council Amanda Skelton said: “His Royal Highness has shown his great affection for the area over recent years and clearly wants to demonstrate his support for our local communities affected by the SSI crisis. I am pleased that The Prince will also be able to meet some of our local businesses who are helping to diversify our economy and create jobs.”
Dr Gordon Mizner, Chief Executive of EDT, the education charity that co-ordinates Industrial Cadets said: “Industrial Cadets was originally inspired by His Royal Highness during a visit to Tata Steel on Teesside in 2010. Industrial Cadets is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, and has developed into a national accreditation for work experiences, emphasising skills development and knowledge of career opportunities. There are now more than 3500 Industrial Cadets, drawn from over 1000 schools and over 200 companies run Industrial Cadet accredited programmes.”
Stephen Howard, Chief Executive, Business in the Community said: “Business Connectors is borne out of our belief that business must be part of the solution to create positive change in local communities. The programme places talented individuals from business into areas where they can make a real difference. Redcar was one of the first communities to benefit from business connectors with companies including Greggs and PD Ports supporting.
“Since the programme launched, we have placed almost 200 connecters in 100 locations, to use their skills and expertise to develop better connections between business and community organisations. The visit by HRH the Prince of Wales shines a welcome spotlight on this community at a challenging time. Local and national businesses can be part of the solution to these challenges and placing Business Connectors is a practical and powerful way to take action.”