Mission 2: Supporting Employment Opportunities for all

For sustainable economic growth to be truly successful, it must be inclusive. This means removing barriers faced by economically inactive individuals, those with health challenges, and communities experiencing disadvantage. Equitable access to opportunity is not only a moral imperative - it’s essential for building a thriving, resilient economy.

While Gloucestershire is broadly affluent, pockets of deprivation persist across both urban and rural areas. These disparities are closely linked to social inequality, health outcomes, and life expectancy and are likely to be exacerbated by accelerating climate impacts. Addressing these inequalities and improving the resilience of our communities is central to our inclusive growth agenda.

Quality affordable housing and access to skills training are critical enablers of inclusive growth. By improving access to both, we can help lift people out of poverty, support healthier lifestyles, and enable more residents to participate fully in the local economy. This includes supporting entry-level pathways, retraining opportunities, and targeted support for those furthest from the workplace.

We are committed to championing inclusion for disabled people and neurodivergent individuals across Gloucestershire. To achieve this, we will seek investment not only to support individuals in accessing meaningful employment, training and skills development, but also to empower employers with the tools, knowledge and confidence needed to foster inclusive and supportive workplaces. Initiatives such as Inclusivity Works play a vital role in raising awareness and providing practical guidance, and we will continue to build on these platforms. Creating inclusive environments is just as critical as enabling individual success and both are essential to building a fairer, more resilient local economy where everyone can thrive.

Improving opportunities for all

In 2019, 12 of Gloucestershire neighbourhoods were classified as being in the most deprived 10% nationally. These areas account for 19,415 people (3.1% of the county population). Based on the 2019 Indices of Multiple Deprivation the key issues impacting these neighbourhoods are: Income, Employment, Education, Skills and Training and Health. These issues can impact on each other and create barriers to residents being lifted out of deprivation.  These are complex issues which require a multi-agency approach to address the range of factors which can impact on someone’s opportunities in life, and their access to things like employment, good health, and a safe place to live.

Evidence shows that ‘good work’ (a safe and secure job with good working hours and conditions) can improve health and wellbeing and protect against social exclusion. The Local Growth Plan has a clear role in supporting targeted Education, Skills and Training programmes with those communities and neighbourhoods that experience the most disadvantage. Building on the success of the Gloucestershire Employment and Skills Hub, new countywide programmes like Connect to Work are supporting people who have been out of work or facing barriers to entering or retaining employment. Projects like LEAH (Linking Employment and Health) are also working alongside health and care professionals, and community organisations to support people with a disability or health condition into work in a way which best meets their needs and aspirations.

Where health is a barrier, there are opportunities to engage with employers to support inclusive, healthy working practices. Initiatives, such as the Gloucestershire Healthy Workplaces’ accreditation scheme provide guidance and practical tools to businesses to create healthier, happier workplaces.

Positive inclusive growth relies on listening to and working alongside communities to understand what’s important to them and build on local assets. Our local VCSE sector also offer a range of community-based support to bring people together, and create positive social connections, which can in turn improve our mental and physical health, and reduce social exclusion. The launch of Gloucestershire’s network of Family Hubs will make it easier for families to access support when they need it by connecting families with their communities and the services that can help them thrive. In recent years, community grant funding has also seen additional investment in community-led project and initiatives, through programmes such as the Thriving Communities Grants, Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund and the Government’s Household Support Grant

Whilst the number of Gloucestershire based young people ‘not involved in education, employment, or training’ (NEET) compares favourably with national trends, it has been identified as a priority area for the county due to a huge rise in the number of young people becoming NEET after year 11 since 2020. There has also been a steady rise in the number of young people identified as ‘at risk’ in our schools over recent years.

Employability and skill development activity for these young people is essential to help improve their post 16 destinations. Therefore, the Gloucestershire Careers Hub has a focus on creation of high-quality work experience opportunities for socioeconomically disadvantaged young people aiming to enhance their work readiness and career prospects. These initiatives reflect National Careers and Enterprise Company’s commitment to improving outcomes for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds through targeted support services.

Digital skills and inclusive growth

Digital literacy is no longer optional, it is fundamental to accessing employment, education, healthcare and social opportunities. Digital inclusion is essential to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to the benefits of digital technologies. It involves providing equitable access to digital tools, resources, and skills, so that all individuals can participate fully in the digital economy. By addressing barriers such as affordability, digital literacy, and accessibility, we can create a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive in a digital world.

AI offers immense opportunity, but also presents sustainability challenges in its use, including the potential impacts on job creation and displacement of some roles, and the significant energy use required to power the technology.

Living with change means leading through it. Gloucestershire is embracing the seismic shifts brought by AI, automation, and digital transformation. These forces are reshaping industries, redefining job roles, and demanding new skills at every level.

We must reimagine our skills ecosystem, from foundational digital literacy to advanced AI capabilities. This means empowering residents with the digital confidence to thrive in a tech-driven world, equipping businesses and leaders with the tools to innovate, adapt, and grow, and creating agile training pathways that respond to emerging technologies and evolving workforce needs.

Gloucestershire will be at the forefront of delivering the UK’s digital, AI and technological ambitions - not just reacting to change but shaping it. By committing investment in skills, inclusive education, and industry partnerships, we will build a future-ready workforce that drives innovation, attracts investment, and ensures no one is left behind.

Nature, wellbeing and inclusive opportunity

We also recognise the importance of healthy, active lifestyles in maintaining a strong local workforce. That means providing accessible leisure and health activities, promoting active travel, and ensuring that our lifestyle offer meets the diverse needs of our communities.

Access to nature plays a critical role in improving physical and mental health, reducing social isolation, and enhancing quality of life. Gloucestershire’s rich natural environment - including its National Landscapes and green spaces must be protected and leveraged as health assets. This complements our wider ambitions for increased nature recovery across our landscapes and encouragement of regenerative agriculture.  

Mission 3: Thriving Communities and Culture