January 2024

Havant Borough Council would like to wish you a Happy New Year!

We look forward to supporting local businesses throughout 2024 and beyond. If you would like to find out more about our Economic Development service and offer to businesses, please get in touch economic_development@havant.gov.uk 

Save the dates! 

Friday 23rd February 2024 10:30-11:30

General Information Webinar 

This webinar will outline all support available through our Economic Development team at Havant Borough Council, introducing you to the wider service and new initiatives exclusively for Havant business in 2024.

Thursday 14th March 2024 17:30-19:00 

Havant Business Partnership 

Our first networking event of 2024, hosted in partnership with HSDC, providing you with the opportunity to network with other local business, council and local education providers. 

More details for booking both events will be included in the February edition. 

Free Support for Local Business and Start Ups

Incuhive are offering free business support to small and start up businesses across Havant Borough through our fully funded programme. 

Incuhive can provide free advice and guidance on any key business topic including:
Access to funding and grants
Finding new clients, marketing, web and social media
Business planning and/or pivoting
Cashflow
The package will include initial and ongoing 1:1 support designed to put any findings and recommendations into action and to maximise the chances of long-term sustainability.

If you are interested in receiving support to grow your business or get your start up running please email economic_development@havant.gov.uk

A3 EV Grants Available 

Get up to £10,000 grant to upgrade your diesel van to electric
If you drive a diesel van on the A3 between the A31 to Farnham and the A25/A322
Woodbridge Hill junctions more than three times a week, you could be eligible for a grant of up to £10,000 to upgrade to a fully electric van.

Are you an employer wanting to future proof your workforce, and develop your existing team?

Solent Partners have received funding from DfE (Department for Education) to deliver Skills Bootcamps in the South region.

Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses of up to 16 weeks for adults aged 19 or over and are primarily aimed at delivering flexible training that is co-designed with employers to respond to skills shortages. The courses are free to those who are self-employed or unemployed; employers will need to make a contribution for their employees retraining or upskilling.

In the Solent, Skills Bootcamps will be available in the following industries:

• Digital Marketing
• Software Development
• Maritime Transport and Logistics
• Care Services
• Creative Business Management and Administration
• Green Skills
• Catering and Hospitality

University of Portsmouth Degree Apprenticeships

The University of Portsmouth's Degree Apprenticeships Team exists to enable both employers and learners to succeed through apprenticeships.

Degree apprenticeships have been developed between the Government, employers and universities, so the student will learn skills that will be in high demand in the future, and employers can grow the future talent of their business.

University of Portsmouth can help with questions about the programmes of study, funding arrangements, eligibility of learners, employer responsibilities and much more.

They offer a wide range of apprenticeship standards within various industries and we are committed to expanding and improving our offer to meet the needs of our employers and learners.

If you would like to learn more about how Degree Apprenticeships can support your business and employees contact degree-apprenticeship-office@port.ac.uk

023 9284 8599

Portsmouth and South Coast Business Week 

Portsmouth and South Coast Business Week will return in February with a week-long festival of free activity supporting and championing the region, designed by business for business.

The week will be kicked off with Hampshire Chamber of Commerce hosting the launch event at Queens Hotel, Southsea with a day filled with networking, keynote speakers and local business development services.