The past decade has seen huge changes in Brighton & Hove, from the diversity and numbers of people choosing to live and work in the city, to growing opportunities to build businesses, study and undergo training.

The city is also on the verge of an exciting future with major investment set to create more growth, employment and opportunities.

But will the job opportunities, salaries, skills and training opportunities meet the demands of the city’s population?

The Brighton & Hove City Employment and Skills Plan (CESP) has been drawn up to address these issues and to ensure that the city grows and develops in a way which provides prosperity and opportunities for all.

Based on detailed research, hard facts and evidence, the plan sets out clear priorities and ambitious targets for the next three years.
Relevant to both public sector employers and private businesses, the proposals are based on four priorities:

- create, retain and develop local business and enterprise
- Increase the city employment rate
- Develop and improve skills of residents
- Develop the city’s infrastructure and intelligence to support the plan

The working age population in Brighton & Hove may increase by around 12,000 over the next 10 years. This has implications for both job creation and for supporting those outside the labour market back into work.

The CESP aims to put measures in place to ensure that jobs are available to meet the needs of the population.

This can only be achieved by developing the right mix of jobs and ensuring there are sufficient opportunities for residents to enhance their skills and qualifications.

There are currently around 25,000 working-age welfare benefit claimants in the city. These include lone parents, carers, as well as people claiming jobseekers allowance and incapacity benefit. In addition to this, there are around 600 16-18 year olds who are NEET (not in education, employment or training).

The population of Brighton & Hove has become younger with older residents moving out and younger people, including many students, moving in. The number of new jobs being created is struggling to keep up with this population growth.

Average earnings tend to be low and there appear to be many well-qualified people in low paying jobs such as bar and restaurant work, making it difficult for people with low level skills to enter the labour market.

Overall, the city has a well-qualified resident population but may not be making the best use of their skills. It also needs to channel the expertise in its two universities to support business development, innovation and growth.

By taking a joint approach between the city’s main public sector agencies, the voluntary and community sector and private business and investors, the CESP sets out clear approach to tackling the employment and skills issues. It aims to:

- Strengthen the city’s economic base
- Increase the supply of jobs
- Improve business performance and increase prosperity
- Tackle worklessness, inequality and disadvantage

Production of the draft CESP has been led by the City Employment and Skills Steering Group and has been developed following extensive consultation over the past year.

The above information was written and funded by Equal Brighton & Hove