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Business-Led ‘Road Map’ Launched To Boost Hampshire’s Workplace



A three-year, business-led ‘road map’ has been launched to narrow skills gaps in the workplace, spotlight training opportunities including for NEETs and boost Hampshire’s regional economy.


Commissioned by Hampshire Chamber of Commerce in partnership with firms, education providers, policymakers, charities and the public sector, the Hampshire and The Solent Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) 2026-29 builds on detailed research to identify four top priorities for action.


These are summarised as: a more responsive and inclusive ‘skills ecosystem’; more support for workforce ‘progression and transitions’; stronger awareness and access for employers and residents alike; and deeper employer participation.


Ross McNally, Hampshire Chamber Chief Executive, said:

“The LSIP is deliberately employer-focused to ensure that skills training works better for businesses of all sizes and sectors. In the research stage, employers - especially SMEs - consistently told us they want a skills system that is easy to access, flexible and has the capacity to enable genuine employer participation opportunities rather than simple engagement.”

NEETs, the widely recognised acronym for young people typically aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training, face particular barriers to acquiring skills and participating in work, the LSIP research report found.


Issues cited include youth disengagement driven by lower confidence, higher anxiety, limited networks and reduced access to early work experience.


In Hampshire, 35.2% of young people are at risk of becoming NEET, well above the national average of 28.2%, highlighting the scale of vulnerability across the region.


Under the government’s rollout of LSIPs nationally, Hampshire Chamber is the official ‘employer representative body’ (ERB) for Hampshire and The Solent.


The new plan strengthens the delivery of priorities and foundations set out in two previous LSIPs, one covering the Solent, the other focused on the ‘Enterprise M3’ area across north Hampshire and Surrey.


Following publication of a white paper on post-16 education and with guidance from government agency Skills England, all 39 ERBs were required to develop a second round of three-year LSIPs this summer.


Based on the research report produced for Hampshire Chamber by consultants and analysts Lichfields, the new LSIP for Hampshire and The Solent is designed to be a unifying strategy in response to changing economic conditions and labour market pressures.


Lichfields found that the region now supports almost one million jobs, having added 31,300 jobs since 2023, with strongest growth in Portsmouth and Southampton. At the same time however, labour market participation has actually weakened over the past three years relative to the whole population.


Employment has fallen by 8,100 people, unemployment has risen to 3.2% and economic inactivity has increased significantly. Barriers include caring responsibilities, youth disengagement, early retirement among skilled workers, a weaker jobs market and greater exposure to external economic shocks.


Factors directly influencing skills gaps in all sectors include shortages of digital capability, leadership, essential employability skills and green skills.


“The new three-year plan is a road map for the next phase of LSIP delivery,” Ross McNally explained.

“The strategy highlights the major sector opportunities and challenges we face including in our core clusters of maritime, defence, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, creative industries and health and social care."

“The creative industries, for example, contribute over £900 million in GVA, while marine and maritime support 20,000 jobs and £1.7 billion in economic output. Logistics employs 27,000 people, with the Solent Freeport expected to create 15,000 additional jobs."

“Across all sectors, improving workforce participation, business capability and access to flexible skills provision will be critical to achieving and sustaining regional growth."

“Trends analysed in the report underline the need for a skills ecosystem that drives productivity while also widening participation. An expansion of the employment base must be matched by efforts to unlock local talent, reduce barriers to work and support employers to recruit, retain and grow their workforces."


"That means building and maintaining strong skills development pathways between education providers and employers. We must also recognise and address demand-side barriers which influence businesses confidence, capability and flexibility to recruit."


“Our LSIP report makes clear that we need to strengthen capability across the workforce. Financial literacy, leadership and entrepreneurial confidence are among the essential foundations for improving resilience and productivity especially among our SMEs and micro-businesses. This is particularly important in a region such as ours where 88% of businesses employ fewer than ten people."


To read and download the Hampshire and The Solent LSIP report, visit Hampshire LSIP Skills Channel | HCOC LSIP

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  • Nov 29, 2023
  • 2 min read

Leicestershire CCC is excited to announce the return of promising bowler Scott Currie on a season-long loan from Hampshire.


The 6ft 5” tall seamer, who spent the final month of the 2023 summer with the Foxes, rejoins for the entirety of the 2024 campaign and will be available for selection in all three formats.


Currie featured twice for the club in September, taking five wickets during County Championship fixtures against Sussex and Yorkshire.


A product of Hampshire’s youth system, the 22-year-old has picked up 78 wickets from 47 first team appearances, while he has claimed 56 wickets at an average of 24.25 in the Second Eleven Championship.


Currie impressed for his home county during this summer’s Metro Bank One Day Cup, snaring 14 wickets at 24.36 from eight matches, including three wickets against Leicestershire during the Foxes' two-run victory in the final at Trent Bridge.


The former England Under-19 star has also made an impact in T20 cricket for Hampshire, helping the Hawks to the 2022 Vitality Blast title, while collecting 19 wickets at a miserly average of 12.84 en route to Finals Day in 2021.


Discussing the move, Currie said: “I’m really looking forward to continuing my development in first team cricket, but more importantly, building on and trying to contribute to more success for Leicestershire."


“The opportunity to play with the team in September was brilliant, and one I’m very grateful for. I enjoyed walking into a fresh environment and continuing to learn the game, and I’m very much looking forward to getting back involved with the boys."


“It was fantastic to see what the One Day Cup success last season did for the group and the wider community of Leicestershire. There was also plenty to be pleased with in the Championship, and I know Alfonso (Thomas), James (Taylor), and the lads are hungrier than ever to get this club into Division One.”


Director of Cricket, Claude Henderson, added: “We are very excited to welcome Scott back to Leicestershire. He fitted in seamlessly with the team and has a bright future ahead of him. Scott is a threat in all three formats and possess an exceptional knowledge of the game for a young bowler. He has a strong relationship with Alfonso, and we are really looking forward to seeing him perform for the club next season.”


Currie is currently in Australia, playing South Australian Grade Cricket League for Adelaide University. He will link up with his Leicestershire teammates in March.


The Hampshire loanee becomes the fourth arrival at Uptonsteel County Ground this winter, following the permanent signings of Ben Cox, Liam Trevaskis and Ben Mike.


Photo Credit: John Mallett. Image provided by Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

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