The Economy Overview and Scrutiny Panel of Worcestershire Council met on Wednesday 10 June 2026 to discuss the Malvern Hills Science Park and the current landscape of youth employment and apprenticeships within the county. The panel also reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year.

Malvern Hills Science Park

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on the Malvern Hills Science Park¹, a hub for science, cyber technology, and similar industries. Established in 1997, the park was created to foster innovation and support the commercialisation of advanced technologies. It has since expanded through multiple phases, with Phase 6 remaining an opportunity for further development. The report pack detailed the park's governance structure, its development phases, and its significant economic impact on the local area, including job creation and the boosting of Malvern's profile in high-tech sectors.

The discussion was expected to cover challenges and opportunities facing the park, including its size and scale in relation to university-attached science parks, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the commercial office market. Current economic conditions, such as inflation and geopolitical tensions, were also noted as factors influencing leasing decisions. The report highlighted that while the park is currently 90% full, securing public sector funding is considered essential for the viability of developing Phase 6. The future plans for the park include attracting new businesses, enhancing tenant offerings, developing a sales and marketing strategy, and establishing partnerships with local schools and colleges to promote careers in technology and innovation.

Youth Employment and Apprenticeships in Worcestershire

The panel was also set to review youth employment and apprenticeship trends in Worcestershire, with a particular focus on residents aged 18 to 24. The report indicated a concerning upward trend in youth unemployment across the county, with significant variations between districts, notably Redditch experiencing the highest rates. This trend was attributed to broader economic conditions, including rising economic inactivity due to ill health and caring responsibilities, as well as an increase in young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

In contrast, apprenticeship delivery in Worcestershire was described as comparatively strong, with a consistent number of young people completing apprenticeships annually. However, growth in apprenticeship numbers was noted as being constrained by the availability of placements and wider economic uncertainty. The report outlined current programmes in place to support young people, including the Careers Worcestershire programme and Youth Hubs in Worcester and Redditch, which offer tailored support, including a focus on health and wellbeing. The national policy direction, including the Youth Guarantee programme and the expansion of Youth Hubs, was also discussed, with implications for Worcestershire's existing strategies.

The report also detailed the apprenticeship landscape in Worcestershire, noting a stable performance overall but a shift towards higher-level provision and a decline in intermediate apprenticeships. Challenges in engaging employers were highlighted, including economic uncertainty, rising National Minimum Wage costs, and capacity issues within small and medium-sized enterprises. The report posed questions about the current model's scale and capacity to address youth unemployment and how to strengthen employer engagement.

Work Programme

Finally, the panel was scheduled to review its work programme. This agenda item involved considering and potentially amending the planned scrutiny activities for the upcoming year, which are part of the Council's rolling Annual Work Programme. The panel's responsibilities include scrutinising economy, workforce skills, strategic infrastructure, and broadband and communications. The report pack included a detailed work programme outlining scheduled scrutiny items for future meetings, such as updates on digital infrastructure, performance monitoring, and annual reports from the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and on tourism.