Community Employment Plans
Community Employment Plans (CEPs) aim to ensure that local people can better access to job opportunities.
Across Oxfordshire, there are multiple large-scale infrastructure projects being developed or planned. In order to maximise the benefits of the developments on communities, we aim to ensure that local people can better access to job opportunities. This is achieved through the development of Community Employment Plans (CEPs).
CEPs are employer-led initiatives which can form part of Section 106 planning obligation for significant developments. Each Local Planning Authority in Oxfordshire has their own Local Plan. We aim to support major employers in creating their CEP alongside district Economic Development Leads. The outcomes are likely to include:
- Apprenticeships
- Employment/training initiatives for all ages
- Best endeavours to maximise local labour
- School, college and university engagement initiatives
We have worked with a number of major employers to develop comprehensive CEPs. One example is Westgate Oxford where we supported the following:
- 15 Apprenticeships supported during construction
- 15% of on-site workers have an Oxfordshire postcode
- 40% of contracts awarded within the local supply chains
- 12 site tours provided to schools and colleges
- 61 individuals supported through sector-based work academies, with 13 later employed by Laing O’Rourke or one of their sub-contractors
- Three local social enterprises supported in the supply chain
This document presents the background and evidence base for Community Employment Plans (CEPs) and the inclusion of planning policies relating to their use in the Local Plans for Oxfordshire.
