Help to support residents facing barriers to employment

The Get Hampshire Working Plan brings together local employers, health services, education and training providers, local authorities, housing associations and community organisations to tackle the root causes of unemployment and economic inactivity, and better connect employment, health and skills support, based on local needs.

The Plan, produced in response to the Government's ‘Get Britain Working’ white paper, which sets out proposals to reform employment, health and skills support to tackle economic inactivity and support people into good work, addresses three urgent labour market challenges locally:

 - Labour market exclusion – supporting people facing barriers to employment including women, residents impacted by ill-health and disabilities, and older workers.

 - Youth employment – helping young people to thrive at the start of their careers, through better careers support, work experience opportunities, and skills training.

 - Insecure and low-quality work – working with employers to create inclusive recruitment practices and match local talent to local, sustainable work opportunities.

Councillor Nick Adams-King, Leader of Hampshire County Council, said: “This is a timely and ambitious plan that puts people at the heart of our economic future. We know that good work improves health, builds confidence, and strengthens communities. By working together, we can unlock the potential of every resident and help Hampshire grow and prosper.” 

Aligned with the Plan, Hampshire will begin delivering the Connect to Work programme from November this year.  This will provide targeted support to help disabled people, those with health conditions, and others facing complex barriers to employment, to secure good quality work.

Participants will receive up to 12 months of personalised supported employment from Employment Specialists, including support with job searching, confidence building, and tailored employer engagement. The programme is voluntary and uses a well-established model for helping people into work, connecting work, health and skills in a joined-up way.

Connect to Work is expected to support around 5,000 Hampshire residents over the next five years, helping them find and stay in good jobs that match their needs and aspirations.

Detailed information on the Programme will be published in the coming weeks. 

More information on the variety of employment support currently available can be found on the County Council’s website at:  

Employer support | Business and economy | Hampshire County Council