Hampshire County Council unveils £2m plan to combat coronavirus job losses

Many people have found themselves out of work after the Covid-19 outbreak, but Hampshire County Council is optimistic that it can get people back into employment.

The council has committed to doubling its apprenticeship levy funding to £2m, as well as investing £1.3m into adult and community learning.

Councillor Roz Chadd, the county council’s executive member for education and skills, said: ‘In the coming months, the employment and skills strategy and plan, developed by our Skills and Participation Service, will put in place a range of measures to boost employment and apprenticeships in Hampshire.

‘Targeting those who have been most affected by the impact of Covid-19, it will help to get the county’s economy back on its feet by building on, and complementing, national initiatives to promote employment and reduce the number of people who are out of work, such as the national ‘Kickstart’ scheme.’

Other measures being brought in by the initiative include employability hubs, which will look to train and support young people with special educational needs or disabilities.

Councils across the UK have already invested heavily into the coronavirus pandemic, having to either rely on government funding or digging into their reserves.

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Deputy council leader, Cllr Rob Humby, added: ‘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.’

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