Hampshire County Council to host series of Reverse Job Fairs

A Reverse Jobs Fair turns the traditional recruitment model on its head. Instead of employers hosting stands, our interns take the lead by hosting their own showcasing their strengths, skills, experiences and career interests. This allows employers to gain a clearer picture of how individuals

Skills Planning Vital To Tackle Gen Z Drift

A new report on a pioneering scheme for business-led skills planning in England has identified a pressing need to better engage Generation Z with the workplace. The analysis of Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) found they have engaged thousands of people and employers in the training

Solent FutureScape 2026 Delivers a Breakthrough Day for SMEs Embracing AI and Emerging Technology

Hampshire & Solent LSIP, part of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce were delighted to sponsor Solent FutureScape 2026, held in March at the King’s Conference Centre in Hedge End. The event welcomed more than 500 delegates for a full day of demos, panels, fireside chats and

Half of SMEs Using AI – With Limited Headcount Impact So Far

More than half of UK firms (54%) are now actively using AI, according to new research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with Atos, showing a major jump in tech adoption. Previous BCC research found that 35% of firms were using AI

First V Levels subjects revealed as part of landmark reforms

First students to do V Levels from 2027 as part of ambitious reforms to post-16 system that will prepare them for future jobs. Young people will be able to take the very first V Levels in education, finance, and digital in 2027, under landmark reforms

BCC Economic Forecast: Global Turmoil to Hit Growth and Push Up Inflation

The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) economic forecast suggests slow growth in 2026, higher inflation due to the Middle East crisis, and rising unemployment as the labour market softens. The BCC forecast is the first economic assessment by a business organisation since last week’s

Collaboration and enterprise take centre stage at Portsmouth & South Coast Business Week

Business leaders have hailed the success of the sixth annual Portsmouth & South Coast Business Week organised by Hampshire Chamber of Commerce. Over 1,500 delegates attended more than 22 free-of-charge events with a focus on collaboration and achieving growth. Launched at the Queen’s Hotel in

Training on Disabilities and Autism supports Hampshire Health and Care Workers

South Hampshire College Group is pleased to announce that they are providing the accredited Tier 2 Oliver McGowan Training on Disabilities and Autism to support the health and care workers across the Hampshire region and to ensure that all health and care workers have access

Royal visit marks opening of SMART Centre

On Thursday 15 January, Southampton Solent University welcomed Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to campus for the opening of the SMART Centre – a cutting-edge facility home to the South Coast Institute of Technology (IoT). A major investment which encompasses the latest equipment used

‘Missed opportunity’: Hampshire Chamber responds to Spring Statement

Responding to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement on Tuesday 3 March 2026, Ross McNally, Hampshire Chamber’s Chief Executive and Executive Chairman, said: “This was a missed opportunity to restore confidence. We wanted to see meaningful and practical measures to boost productivity, investment and demand and make

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