City of Expertise expands
Engineering firm AECOM has joined the City of Expertise – a networking group that promotes St Albans as a place to do business.
The global consultancy, which has offices in Victoria Street, is the latest organisation to sign up to the partnership. Among the 20 other members are St Albans City and District Council and the St Albans Chamber of Commerce.
The City of Expertise was set up to provide a platform for the cluster of professional service companies based in the District. These include surveyors, chartered accountants, solicitors, banks and financial advisers.
Key objectives include raising the profile of this sector of the local economy and encouraging residents to work within it rather than commute to London.
The partnership’s Careers Group is led by Rayner Essex, chartered accountants and business advisers with an office in Victoria Street, and Barclays Banks. The Careers Group showcases the work of City of Expertise members to young people and raises awareness of the job and training opportunities available locally. It plans to hold its own careers fair this spring to provide information about openings in IT, law, accountancy, marketing and administration.
Apprenticeships are one of the routes into employment that will be highlighted. Representatives also attend careers fairs at schools across the City. Membership fees have been used to produce branded brochures and an exhibition podium.
An update of the City of Expertise’s work is due to be given to a meeting of the Council’s Cabinet on Thursday 26 January. Councillor Julian Daly, Leader of the Council and Chair of the City of Expertise, said:
“It’s widely acknowledged that our District is an important centre for a wide range of professional services.
“St Albans is often described as a great place to live and we want to get across the message that it’s also a great place to work.
“The City of Expertise helps to do this by putting the spotlight on the many firms that are active here and the exciting job opportunities they offer.
“As a Council, we are doing our bit to help with this work and boost the local economy.
“I urge professional service firms to get involved if they haven’t already done so.”
Any organisation that wants to join the City of Expertise should contact lawrence.hewitt@stalbans.gov.uk
Councillor contact:
Cllr Julian Daly, Leader of St Albans City and District Council and Portfolio Holder for Resources; Chair of the City of Expertise.
Mob: 07775 657200
Email: cllr.j.daly@councillor.stalbans.gov.uk
Media contact:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council. Tel: 01727-296130
E-mail: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk