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The Shepton 21 Group (the group working on the Market and Coastal Towns Initiative) developed ideas for flagship projects in the town in line with the Community Strategic Plan.

The baseline analysis of Shepton Mallet conducted for the Market Towns Employment Project identified many issues in common with the other towns in the survey but also highlighted issues that were unique to Shepton Mallet.  In common with the other five towns there have been employment losses over recent years, mostly in manufacturing, but unemployment rates remain low.  Where Shepton differs is that a large proportion of the unemployed is in the 16 to 24 age group.  Some employers have the view that some young people leaving school are not up to the basic standards required for work.

Overall levels of poor literacy and numeracy are considerably higher than those found in the South West and nationally, very poor numeracy being particularly high.  There is also an overall low performance at Key Stage 2 - below threshold level for expected achievements at age 11 and Shepton is well below national and county achievement at GCSE level.  Shepton is also below national, regional and county levels for participation in A-Level equivalent/Further Education studies and participation in full-time Higher and Further Education is low compared to county and regional rates.  There is a high proportion of people with no qualifications, a low proportion of people with level 4/5 qualifications and the local labour force is relatively poorly qualified.

Shepton Mallet has suffered some significant job losses over recent years such as with the closure of the Griggs and the Huntsman factories.  Like the other smaller towns in the survey there is no direct college or significant training provision tackling or addressing specific local skills needs and local employment issues and opportunities and there is no representation in Shepton Mallet by agencies such as Jobcentre Plus and Connexions.  To address the issues of youth unemployment, redundant employees and low skills in the workforce it is proposed to bring together these and other support agencies and providers to provide services under one roof in the centre of Shepton Mallet.

'Shepton 21 has found the flagship project is forming strong linkages between trade and employers and learning programmes, is highlighting stuff that is forming a major part of the Community Strategic Plan'

Community Advice, Training and Employment Centre for Shepton Mallet

Hannah Reynolds Associates carried out a feasibility study for a Community Advice, Training and Employment Centre (CATEC) for Shepton Mallet.  The aim of the study was to report on the feasibility of converting all or part of the BT exchange building in Shepton Mallet into a multi-use centre.  The study sought to identify the appropriate mix of complementary uses that could be co-located to maximise the employment and training benefit and advice assistance for the Shepton Mallet working age population.

The Feasibility Study report has identified the most suitable location, the requirements for the building by potential end users, a proposed allocation of space and a report on the condition of the building and likely renovation costs.  After reviewing the opportunities available in Shepton Mallet, the BT Exchange building has been identified as the best location for the facility and discussions have taken place with the building's owners with a view to securing a long-term lease.

Potential end users of the building have indicated their requirements for the use of the building.  These include:

• Somerset Youth Service for youth work sessions and a young person's health clinic;
• Connexions for a range of advisory services to young people including careers advice;
• Citizens Advice Bureau for free, independent, confidential advice;
• Whitstone School Vocation Training for vocational training courses;
• Jobcentre Plus for employment advice to priority customers including lone parents and people claiming Incapacity Benefit;
• Novas Group for running workshops, training sessions and advice shops on issues around housing;
• Mendip Community Support acts as a support group for other voluntary and community groups;
• Somerset Early Years Development Child Care Partnership for a children's centre in an area of deprivation and disadvantage providing early education integrated with childcare and family support services; and
• Somerset County Council Adult Learning and Leisure for courses in car maintenance and building skills

Taking into account the space and facilities requirements of each potential end user a draft floor plan for use of the ground and first floors of the building has been drawn up.

The consultants used the outputs of the Project Profile to identify in the Feasibility Study:

• The demand/need for the project;
• Services and providers;
• Development options;
• The preferred option;
• The capital and revenue costs and likely income to be derived from the project including a five year cash flow with sensitivity analysis;
• Sources and amounts of capital and revenue support for the project;
• The ownership and management structure of the project; and
• Project timetable to completion.