Plan launched to help people find jobs in Sussex
Councils and partners aim to tackle employment gaps and build skills
Councils in Sussex have unveiled an ambitious strategy to address employment challenges, tackle inequalities, and support a dynamic local economy.
Brighton & Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council, and West Sussex County Council have launched the Get Sussex Working Plan, which has been developed alongside the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Sussex Chamber of Commerce.
The plan has been welcomed by The Right Honourable Pat McFadden MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
“We want to make sure everyone across the country has the chance to get on in life and employment is key to this,” McFadden said.
“The Get Sussex Working Plan is a great example of bringing together the local expertise of councils, employers and health services to break down barriers to work and help more people into good jobs.
“This is good for local people and for the whole country as we create opportunity and drive economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.”
The initiative sets out six strategic ambitions to help Sussex residents find good jobs and develop key skills for employment.
It aims to provide support through collaboration across employment, health, post-16 education, and skills services to address major challenges facing Sussex.
These include tackling economic inactivity and health-related barriers to work, reducing skills shortages, and improving access to opportunities.
Priority groups identified for support include:
- Young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET)
- Unemployed adults
- Residents with a disability or long-term health condition
- Migrants, refugees, and global majority communities
- Parents, unpaid carers, adults with low skill levels, and low incomes
Collaborative ambitions
The plan has been developed through input from more than 200 stakeholders across Sussex, including employers, community organisations, and individuals accessing employment support services.
The strategy also draws on a data-mapping exercise to identify key areas of action and investment to ensure the initiative aligns with local needs.
A collaborative, place-based approach is intended to create opportunities for communities, ensuring equal access to meaningful employment and skills development.
Councillor Emma Daniel, Brighton & Hove City Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Youth Services, said: “This is a landmark moment for Sussex. By working together, we can break down barriers to employment, support people into good jobs, and ensure no one is left behind. The Get Sussex Working Plan is about creating real opportunities for residents and building a fairer, more prosperous future for all.”
Councillor Penny di Cara, Lead Member for Economy at East Sussex County Council, said: “The plan identifies a wide variety of actions that can be jointly owned by stakeholders working in health, learning, and employment across the county. It advocates areas for investment by the new Mayoral Combined County Authority, which will ultimately be accountable for the delivery of the plan to ensure it meets the evolving needs of local people and businesses.”
Councillor Garry Wall, Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills at West Sussex County Council, added: “The plan is a long-term commitment to creating opportunities and tackling barriers to employment across our county. This collaborative approach supports our wider Economic Strategy for West Sussex, from building an inclusive, dynamic, and skilled workforce to boosting productivity and innovation.”