BUSINESS leaders across Hampshire are invited to say what skills they most need in their workplaces as a region-wide conversation about training and solutions begins.

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is hosting a week of free, face-to-face employer engagement workshops ahead of a stakeholder summit designed to bring firms together with education providers, policymakers, charities and the public sector.

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is the independent voice of local business across the county and one of the largest regional business networks in the UK. 

It brings together the combined influence, strength and expertise of Hampshire’s three former major chambers of commerce.

The region-wide conversation will capture an accurate insight on skills gaps and will inform the two government-funded Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) covering the county.

The chamber is the lead body for the Solent LSIP and is supporting Surrey Chamber on the equivalent plan in the Enterprise M3 area.

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Ross McNally, Hampshire Chamber Chief Executive, said: “LSIPs are intended to put employers at the heart of the skills system and ensure that local businesses’ voices are heard to help influence and shape local skills and training provision.

“To start a region-wide conversation, we urge employers to attend one of our engagement workshops around the county.

“These are an ideal opportunity to share developing insights, explore what skills you need to address your immediate and longer-term goals, and identify better ways to deliver skills solutions accessible to your business.

“We want to hear from all parts of the business landscape to ensure your business and sector needs are heard and included.”

The workshops, which will include presentations and breakout sessions, take place in both Southampton and Winchester.

The Ageas Bowl’s Hilton Hotel will play host in Southampton, on Monday, February 20 from 9am to 11am – while the Holiday Inn, in Winchester will host an event on Wednesday, February 22, starting at 8am and finishing at 10am.

The stakeholder summit, featuring a roundtable expert panel, presentations and a question-and-answer session, takes place at Marwell Zoo, Colden Common, on Wednesday, March 1, from 10am to 1pm.

To register for any of the events, contact lsip@hampshirechamber.co.uk.

Follow the latest business news from around Hampshire with our Capital Business Bulletin.

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