COLCHESTER needs to create 1,000 jobs a year for the next six years, according to a new growth strategy.

Colchester Council’s cabinet will today discuss a report that estimates 6,000 full-time jobs need to be created by 2021 for the town to thrive.

The report states: “Colchester has proportionately less high skill and more low and unqualified individuals than the East of England and the UK.

“Also, the working age population is exceeding the rate of new job creation, which is overwhelmingly part-time.”

The new strategy is to create jobs for the growing Colchester population.

Other aims laid out in the plan include:

Raising the skill levels of residents and securing 500 new apprenticeships

Creating, retaining and supporting 1,000 new businesses

Securing superfast broadband for all businesses across the borough

Attracting £5million funding for business support

Securing £10million of new investment.

The town is ranked 51st out of 433 areas in the UK for economic performance, giving it an A rating.

However, the rating for entrepreneurism, rate of business formation and productivity is much lower, with Colchester dropping out of the top 150 with a C ranking.

Colchester Council will be lobbying the European Union, UK Government, Invest Essex and others for more money while trying to entice growing companies to the town.