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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

The brand-new Brewers Decorator Academy in Guildford is now open, offering hands-on painting and decorating training in a purpose-built learning environment designed to help decorators build confidence, master new techniques and grow their careers. Train in a purpose-built academy The indoor training space is sectioned into open-plan practical training rooms with space for 10 decorators to master professional decorating techniques on walls, doors, windows and trims. You'll also find specialist features, including spindles, cills and fireplaces, giving you the opportunity to perfect your spray-painting techniques in a realistic setting. There is a training classroom too to help you build a solid understanding of the theory behind the job and expand your product expertise before you get hands-on. Learn from our expert trainers Sessions are led by dedicated and experienced trainers who will help you sharpen your skills and grow your confidence so you can provide exceptional results for your customers. The Academy team can also deliver bespoke training sessions. Get in touch to find out how courses can be designed to suit your individual company needs. Use products from industry-leading brands Brewers provide all the tools you’ll need to take part in the training courses. You’ll get hands-on practice with top-of-the-range products from our suppliers including Graco and Mirka. Since the Academy is located right above the Brewers Guildford store, you’ll also have access to an extensive range of products so you can be confident recommending the best products for the job. Choose from a wide range of courses Brewers Decorator Academy offers a range of painting and decorating courses including: Introduction To Spray Airless Spray Paint Systems Preparation Skills …with even more dates and courses launching soon! Find out more about our courses. Lunch and refreshments included The Decorators Academy has an on-site kitchen where lunch and refreshments are provided as part of your course. Sign up for a Brewers Decorator Academy course Whether you’re starting out, looking to expand your skillset or keen to perfect a new technique, Brewers Decorator Academy is the ideal place to take your skills to the next level. Why not come down and experience it for yourself? Sign up for a course today.

A Dundee-based gas supply business that launched from one entrepreneur’s determination to protect local customer relationships and continue a trusted service is now celebrating a six-figure turnover with plans to expand further. Dunndee Gas, founded by owner and director William Dunn, was established after he identified an opportunity to continue serving customers across Dundee and the surrounding areas following the closure of his previous employer. William first approached Business Gateway to assess the viability of starting the business. Having previously worked for another gas supplier in Dundee, he had already built strong relationships with residential and commercial customers, as well as supplier contacts, through years of hands-on experience in deliveries, operations and office management. William said: “I started in 2018 as a part-time driver for another gas company, delivering to residents and businesses in Dundee and the surrounding areas. Over time, I moved into a full-time role, gained my ADR licence and took on larger loads." “I got to know all the customers personally and built strong relationships with them, as well as with staff at Calor and BOC. As the previous business moved towards closure, conversations began with Calor about the possibility of me becoming a distributor myself." “What started as a discussion to help soon became the beginning of Dunndee Gas.” With support from Business Gateway’s Early Stage Growth (New Business Plus) service, William received tailored advice across key areas including business planning, VAT registration, HR and digital support. This support helped lay the foundations for Dunndee Gas to secure a 2.78-acre site, from which the business now supplies Calor cylinders for a wide range of domestic and commercial needs. The premises also includes convenient on-site customer parking, making cylinder collection simple and accessible. Since launching, the business has grown to employ four members of staff, including an experienced driver who previously worked alongside William, ensuring customers continue to receive the same reliable and friendly service. Today, Dunndee Gas has reached six-figure turnover and is on track to achieve its ambitions William set out when he first began working with Business Gateway. William added: “The support from Business Gateway has been invaluable in helping turn my idea into a sustainable and growing business. From planning and registration through to HR and digital advice, it has given me the confidence and structure to grow the right way." “Our main priority is to provide excellent customer service and we’re focused on building our marketing activity and growing further, with plans to bring in more drivers as demand continues to increase.” William is currently continuing to work with Business Gateway’s digital support team to strengthen the company’s marketing plans and support the next stage of growth. Business Gateway Adviser, Stuart Milne, said: “William’s journey is a fantastic example of how sector experience, strong customer relationships and the right support can come together to create a thriving local business. Dunndee Gas has built impressive momentum in a short space of time, and we’re delighted to continue supporting its future growth plans.”

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