Action Plan

The action plan has six project areas which are intended to help achieve one or more of the Strategy objectives.

Project one - Business Centre Feasibility Study

Objective: To identify the demand for and potential make up of an incubation and business centre in Chard which would provide workspace units and business support for fledgling and growing businesses alongside vocational training.

Project two, first option - Basic and Vocational Skills Development

Objective: To develop local training to improve the skills of the workforce.

Project two, second option - Skills Development

Objective: To develop a model of co-ordinated skill training in Chard which can be replicated in other small market towns.

Project three - Chard Apprenticeship Programme

Objective: To promote apprenticeships in Chard as part of the wider aim of improving the local skill base.

Project four - Tourism Development

Objective: To exploit better the tourism potential of the town, including the SUSTRANS national cycleway network.

Project five - Addressing Transport as a Barrier to Training and Employment

Objective: To maximise opportunities for affordable transport to assist those on lower incomes but especially to remove transport as a barrier to training and employment.

Project six - Identifying potential Growth Sectors and Niche Markets

Objective: To identify growth areas and niche markets with potential for growth which the town can exploit in the future.