The Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel of Worcestershire Council met on Wednesday 10 June 2026 to discuss the Malvern Hills Science Park, youth employment and apprenticeships in the county, and to review the panel's work programme.

Malvern Hills Science Park

The panel was scheduled to receive an overview of the Malvern Hills Science Park, a hub for science, cyber technology, and similar industries. Established in 1998 as a joint venture between Worcestershire County Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, and QinetiQ, the park was created to foster innovation and support technology-based businesses. It has since expanded through several phases, with Phase 6 remaining an opportunity for further development. The report pack detailed the park's governance structure, its economic impact on Malvern, and the challenges and opportunities it faces, including competition from larger tech hubs and the impact of hybrid working. The future plans for the park include attracting new businesses, enhancing tenant offerings, and developing a sales and marketing strategy to attract talent.

Youth Employment and Apprenticeships in Worcestershire

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing youth employment and apprenticeships in Worcestershire, with a particular focus on residents aged 18 to 24. The report highlighted a concerning upward trend in youth unemployment across the county, with Redditch experiencing the highest rates. This trend is occurring alongside broader labour market pressures, including rising economic inactivity and an increase in young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

In contrast, apprenticeship delivery in Worcestershire was described as comparatively strong, with around 2,000 young people aged 16 to 25 completing apprenticeships annually. However, growth in apprenticeship numbers is constrained by the availability of placements and wider economic uncertainty. The report outlined the programmes currently in place to support young people, including the Careers Worcestershire programme and Youth Hubs in Worcester and Redditch, which offer tailored support and focus on health and wellbeing. National policy direction, including the Youth Guarantee programme and the expansion of Youth Hubs, was also discussed, with an acknowledgement that Worcestershire may experience a lag in accessing new national programmes.

The report also detailed the apprenticeship landscape in Worcestershire, noting a steady performance but a shift towards higher-level provision and a decline in intermediate apprenticeships. Challenges in engaging employers were also highlighted, with economic conditions and business confidence cited as key factors influencing their willingness to commit to apprenticeships.

Work Programme

The panel was also scheduled to review its work programme for 2026. This included considering the issues to be investigated as a priority, such as the annual update on digital infrastructure and connectivity, performance and in-year budget monitoring, and an annual update from the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership. Potential future items for scrutiny were also listed, including the council's role in encouraging commercial space development and support for specific growth sectors, workforce planning, and foreign direct investment.