A NEW skills and employment strategy is being debated by council bosses tonight to boost the area’s workforce.

It is hoped the plan will continue to improve the town’s developing economy.

A council report reveals nearly 20,000 new jobs have been created over the past few years and skills levels among residents has improved year on year and is now above the national average.

Swindon’s ambition is to be a place of economic opportunity, being among the UK’s pacesetters in creating new jobs, by 2026.

The strategy will agree an action plan prioritising activities and management for the Skills and Employment Board which was set up in April.

Swindon Council’s cabinet will be debating the strategy at the Civic Offices, Euclid Street, at 6pm.