SUPPORT is being put in place to boost employment and apprenticeships following the pandemic.

Hampshire County Council is putting in place a raft of support to help residents get into work if they have become unemployed or had difficulty finding work due to COVID-19.

The Employment and Skills Strategy and Plan, developed by the Skills and Participation Service, sets out the actions that will be taken to boost employment.

Available Apprenticeship Levy funding will be doubled to a total of £2m and new employability hubs will be established across the county.

The County Council’s Careers Information and Guidance Service will be expanded to be able to offer schools and colleges expert advice enabling them to develop their careers programmes.

Investments will also be made in Adult and Community learning worth £1.3m, and county-wide programmes will be created helping people to improve their literacy, numeracy, and digital skills.

Councillor Rob Humby, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, said: “It has been widely reported that many businesses, both large and small, have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 lockdown, resulting in some folding, and job losses in others in order to keep their companies going.

“By increasing opportunities for learning and training we will be growing the number of people equipped with the skills that employers are looking for to meet local needs.

“Alongside this, our strategy supports employers to create job related training opportunities.

“Our ambition is to minimise the negative impact of COVID-19 on our local economy, increase economic prosperity and continue to develop a skilled workforce for Hampshire to 2030 and beyond.”