Skills, Economy and Regeneration

Promote access to skills, development and training so residents can be part of a thriving local economy by:

• Delivering projects, events and engagement activities which help residents to access local training and employment opportunities. It will develop new Employment and Skills Plans with property developers to increase these opportunities, also involving local educational institutions
• Working with local businesses and partners on skills needs and gaps and, with their support, developing a business-led skills offer. This will develop skills that businesses need through the Rushmoor Employment and Skills Network and Get Britain Working Plan with Hampshire County Council
• Engaging with young people to encourage their aspirations and elevate career opportunities as part of our Young People’s Plan
• Publishing its skills offer, careers, business support and events in an accessible and engaging way online to ensure greater awareness and take-up of opportunities and to help connect local people with businesses and educational institutions

• Positive feedback on our impact on skills development, job prospects and educational opportunities
• Increased involvement of businesses in training and skills development
• Increased further and higher education institutions activity focused on skills development for employment

Work with businesses to attract and retain jobs, through active place-making and targeting of key industries by:

• Developing place narratives for Aldershot and Farnborough to increase investment, footfall, and pride in our town centres
• Producing sector development plans and setting up a business forum to drive forward the vision for our towns as an economic hub for defence, aerospace, and technology businesses, with more opportunities for improving skills and creating better jobs for local people
• Facilitating business networking opportunities with local partners, including businesses and aligned groups, and support businesses by providing one-to-one business advice and training
• Providing and preserving high-quality employment land and spaces that meet business needs and attract target sectors

• Develop place narratives, develop sector development plans and establish business forums by summer 2025
• Forum members report positive feedback on difference to their work and productivity
• Increased number of businesses supported
• Increased level of inward investments and new jobs

Promote the development of Rushmoor’s towns to meet the needs of businesses and residents, partnering with experts to deliver strategic transformation of town centres and neighbourhoods by:

• Regenerating Farnborough town centre with a new town square with outdoor seating and event space, releasing land for development, and complementing development of the leisure centre with private and public investment
• Building on the successful delivery of the Union Yard project and working with landowners in Aldershot town centre to unlock and realise further regeneration opportunities
• Implementing measures to improve footfall and the retail environment of Aldershot, Farnborough and North Camp town centres
• Delivering a diverse events programme and encouraging and supporting external event organisers to run more events in the borough
• Encouraging artists, creatives and cultural organisations to apply for relevant funding to increase the number of diversity of events in the borough

• Town centre square completed by the end of May 2025
• Increased satisfaction with the town centres
• Increase in town centre footfall
• Increased attendance at town centre events
• Increased satisfaction with cultural activities and events