Bradford has a history of trading internationally with the result that our exposure to many markets of the world has protected us when, for example, the home market is in difficulty.

It is rare, indeed, for all our markets to be in difficulty at the same time. As a consequence, we have had neither the peaks nor troughs which have been experienced over the last 20 years or so in other parts of the country.

Similarly, the absence of swathes of flat, developable land has meant we have not been in a position to attract large, inward investment. Therefore we have a high proportion of "home grown" economic activity and are not suffering the plant closures occurring at the time of writing in the North East of England.

Yet international trade is causing us considerable difficulty. A combination of economic difficulties in a number of markets combined with a very high exchange rate, is causing increasing concern in an economy where dependency on manufacturing and international trade is much higher than most parts of the UK.

Other countries, notably Germany, have prospered with high exchange rates. UK interest rates have traditionally been much higher than elsewhere and while we have made great strides in recent years, there is still concern as to whether or not our productivity and quality is on a par with our international competitors.

The emerging Euro and belief within some of the money markets that Sterling is a valuable shelter from uncertainties of the Euro combine to make exchange rates higher than they might otherwise be, with the problems of remaining competitive in international trading.

Bradford has for many generations demonstrated its capability as a district with an entrepreneurial culture and its capacity to overcome difficulties. Many companies are energetically pursuing the opportunities to sell back into the countries from where they import their raw materials, passing on the consequent cheaper prices in those markets.

It is not many years since Bradford's rising population, compared with elsewhere in the UK, was a unique asset. We intended to market this on the grounds that demographic change and labour shortages which were predicted to arise in the UK would not be an issue for Bradford, which would become even more attractive for businesses to locate.

While those times still seem to be far ahead, Bradford's rising population will be an asset denied to other parts of the UK, as the demographic trends increasingly take effect. That is provided that the local workforce can be matched to available jobs. The Training and Enterprise Council operating throughout the district has three overriding aims:

to raise the attainment levels of the current and future workforce to world class standards;

to increase the competitiveness of local businesses;

to enhance the equality of access to economic opportunities for all who live and wish to work in our district.

In the seven years since the TEC came into existence, it has trained more than 36,000 people and provided help to over 6,000 firms. The number of people without work is now 6,500 less than when the TEC came into existence and while that trend is due to a range of factors, the TEC has certainly played its part.

The TEC aims to work with employers, partners and individual residents of the district, to create and sustain successful businesses and the best chances of work for everyone.

This remains our overriding goal and to achieve it we will continue to be innovative, market led, professional and flexible in detecting and delivering solutions to local needs.

The TEC is a vital resource to the district. We intend to be at the forefront of delivering what Bradford needs and in creating a vibrant local economy which provides opportunities for all its people.

By David Wilkinson, chief executive of Bradford & District TEC

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.