HAMPSHIRE Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with two education charities to tackle the skills gap across the county.

The business support organisation is to work with Basingstoke Consortium and Portsmouth-based EBP South to support young people in their career choices and help employers resolve skills gaps, linking chamber members with thousands of young people from schools and colleges.

A key aim is to maximise the opportunities for people under 25 to reach targeted employers, understand their skills needs and prepare for potential recruitment. The partnerships, initially timed for a year, will include joint events, promotions, awards sponsorship and the involvement of charity representatives in chamber local area committees.

The chamber will also help with lobbying politicians on education issues.

Hampshire Chamber chief executive Stewart Dunn, said: “As the independent voice of business in the county, we have an unrivalled knowledge network among our members and are ideally placed to help.

“The career prospects of young people depend on bridging the gap between the worlds of education and work.

“At the same time, employers need access to young people with the right skills that can help their businesses to grow and prosper.

“It is widely recognised that there are skills gaps in many sectors and our work with Basingstoke Consortium and EBP South and will help to address these.”

Sue Riley, chief executive of Basingstoke Consortium, based at Viables Craft Centre, which works across north Hampshire, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and EBP South in the coming year to bring business and education closer together.

“On a practical level, we hope to collaborate on a number of events that will help chamber members connect with young people, schools and colleges, with all parties benefiting from engagement.

“Strategically, Basingstoke Consortium will be involved in chamber regional forums and we will benefit from chamber support on initiatives such as our TeenTech awards. We look forward to the year ahead.”

EBP South chief executive Cath Longhurst, whose area includes Portsmouth and Southampton, said: “This partnership will bring together EBP’s expertise in working with schools, colleges and other educational institutions and the chamber’s profile with businesses.

“It will help to ensure that young people are well prepared for the world of work and businesses have the opportunity to contribute.”