BUSINESS leaders are attempting to prevent a "brain drain" of some of Europe's most highly skilled ex-military personnel after a study revealed the Ministry of Defence's operations are worth almost £600m a year to North Yorkshire's economy.
Research commissioned by regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward has revealed the benefits of the military presence spread across 10 locations, including RAF Fylingdales.
However, up to 800 personnel stationed in North Yorkshire are leaving
the military each year amid concerns that they are seeking employment elsewhere.
A strategy is being drawn up to ensure Yorkshire’s business world is capitalising on the workers’ expertise in fields such as communications and engineering.
It is hoped that ex-military personnel will be encouraged to launch new enterprises in the region to help to kick-start a recovery from the recession.
Yorkshire Forward’s assistant director for York and North Yorkshire, Julie Hutton, said: “We are trying to make sure that the region’s businesses understand the skills which are available from people leaving the military.
“Hopefully we can make sure that this highly-skilled workforce remains in the region, and they could be vital to helping the recovery from the recession.
“The military itself is of huge importance to North Yorkshire’s economy, and we also want to encourage more links with local businesses for purchasing commodities such as food and drink as well as building contractors for developments on the actual bases.”
Yorkshire Forward joined forces with the MoD, North Yorkshire County Council, Richmondshire District Council and Tees Valley Unlimited for the three-month study.
A Leeds-based company, SQW Consulting, was commissioned to conduct the research, which identified the MoD as employing more than 17,000 staff in North Yorkshire.
