Businesses and jobseekers in Fleet, Hampshire, can now benefit from a new £18.7 million programme designed to get more people into steady work. The Hampshire County Council initiative, called Connect To Work, aims to support thousands of residents who have health conditions or disabilities by matching them with local employers.
Local firms in areas such as Ancells Business Park and Fleet High Street will receive expert help with recruitment, and the scheme can fund or subsidise specialised training and onboarding support. Employment specialists typically remain attached to a new hire for around 6–12 months to help them settle into their role and advise businesses on any workplace adjustments that may be needed.
Residents looking for a job can be referred to the programme through their local GP surgery, the Fleet Jobcentre Plus, or by self-referring via the Hampshire County Council website. The plan uses an on-the-job ‘place, train and maintain’ model rather than classroom-only training, making it easier for people to transition into sustainable employment.
According to Hampshire County Council, the goal is to fill gaps in the local economy where shops and tech companies have struggled to find staff. Councillor Zoe Huggins, Cabinet Member for Hampshire 2050 – Transformation and People, said the scheme is a timely chance for employers to build stronger teams while helping people who have found it difficult to find work in the past.
The five-year programme is Hampshire’s local implementation of the UK Government’s Connect to Work/Get Britain Working framework. Fleet businesses interested in joining the programme can find more details through the council’s Employer Support Portal.
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