Work to develop a Local Industrial Strategy (LIS) to set the Solent area on a pathway to a more prosperous future for all is well underway and the input from businesses, local authorities, academic institutions and the public received to date is helping to identify the key challenges and opportunities for the economy now and in the future.
The initial phase of engagement with the local community has seen hundreds of attendees meet with the LEP at workshops across the region and close to 400 responses submitted to our online survey.
Feedback is currently being reviewed and a formal progress update will be published shortly. Early analysis has revealed a strong sense of pride in the area and clear desire to set an ambitious vision for the future Solent economy. Emerging themes include; development of a cohesive Solent brand with foundations in the region’s coastal renaissance; opportunities around Clean Growth, the visitor economy and maritime innovation; potential to work across the South Coast to develop a ‘creative corridor’, and; reinforcement of the need to enhance collaboration between local businesses and training providers to address skills gaps, including through the development of apprenticeships.
Whilst analysis continues, the Solent LEP has today launched further engagement to enable ongoing feedback from local communities. This will include seeking views from young people at Solent Schools and Colleges that will be the driving force of the Solent 2050 economy. Early feedback from students at Gomer Junior School in Gosport received during our initial consultation can be viewed here.
The Solent LEP has also established an online survey to enable everyone to join the conversation and share their views. Click here to take part in our survey on the future of the Solent economy. Please complete the survey before 23:59 Friday 19 July 2019 to ensure your views can be considered.
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