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SURVEYORS: Gary Ayles (project manager, Granby and Lynch Lane Business Forum), left, and Mark Henman (head of geography), right, with business people and pupils at the Budmouth/Granby presentation

THE number of women employed on the Granby Industrial Estate has increased over the past seven years, according to a new report.

The finding features in a survey of the Granby Industrial Estate by students from Budmouth Technology College in Chickerell.

The Year 9 geography students carried out the study of the site to compare with a similar survey carried out in 2000 by pupils and West Dorset District Council.

Two classes of pupils aged 13 and 14 undertook the project on behalf of the Granby and Lynch Lane Forum.

They have now presented their findings at the school to 10 people from industry and councils.

Budmouth head of geography Mark Henman said that the students did a fantastic job. He added: "It was certainly worth all the hard work.

"The students not only spent valuable time interacting with adults but also gained a wide range of experiences relating both to practical geography and the world of work."

Forum spokesman Gary Ayles added: "The forum were very pleased to have worked with both the students and local businesses in this survey.

"The survey will give the forum and local district councils valuable information to help plan the future forum strategy."

Students sent letters to more than 100 companies on the Granby, with 35 companies replying and 22 completing the survey. Pupils added some questions to the 2000 survey - particularly about the environment and recycling - to create the 2007 questionnaire.

In 2000, 43 companies, with 1,667 employees, completed the survey; the Land Registry was not included.

The 2007 survey included the Land Registry and took in 22 companies employing 1,080 staff.

The 2007 report notes that it is difficult to compare results because of differences in the figures, but that some interesting comparisons can still be drawn.

The findings showed that the number of women in full-time work increased from 15 per cent of the total 1,667 workforce in 2000 to 22 per cent of 1,080 in 2007.

But the amount of men in full-time work fell from 81 per cent in 2000 to 53 per cent in 2007. Some 17 per cent of the workforce in 2007 were women in part-time jobs - compared with two per cent in 2000.

Most companies in the 2007 study described themselves as industrial with an engineering base. The main issue identified in 2007 for the Granby and Lynch Lane Forum to consider was the relief road, followed by recycling and then training and lack of skills.

Students found that all of the 22 companies questioned in 2007 recycled. Some 86 per cent recycled paper, 64 per cent cartridges, 55 per cent electrical products and 36 per cent plastic.

The report says that 'more than 50 per cent of the companies were doing something to try and reduce their carbon emissions'. It adds: 'Initiatives included reducing air miles, video conferencing, turning off power when not needed and using the train.' However, only two of the companies knew their carbon footprint.

The students suggest a website in their report - www.carbontrust.co.uk - for businesses to find out more and suggest that the forum or school could follow this issue up.

8:50am Wednesday 26th March 2008

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