From the Chamber: Economic success must create opportuinty for everyone

Wokingham Borough is a great place to live, learn and work. We have successful businesses, high employment and residents with strong skills. But headline figures can hide a difficult truth: not everyone has the same chance to benefit from our success.

Our Employment and Skills Strategy highlights that more than 5,000 residents are unemployed or economically inactive but would like to work. It also points to persistent barriers for young people, disabled residents, carers, women returning to work and people whose health or circumstances make finding and keeping a job harder.

These are not just statistics. Behind each one is someone with potential: a young person unsure what comes next, a carer seeking work that fits around their responsibilities, or a resident who needs training and support to get back into employment.

Good work matters far beyond a payslip. It can provide financial security, improve health and wellbeing, build confidence and give people the chance to develop and progress. A fairer route into work is good for individuals and families - and for the local economy. Employers need access to skilled people, while residents deserve the chance to share in the opportunities local businesses create.

That is why we are developing a five-year strategy focused on four priorities: creating work opportunities for all; widening access to careers and lifelong learning; helping young people achieve their ambitions; and ensuring businesses have the skills they need to grow.

A central part of this approach will be the ACCESS HUB: a joined-up, accessible source of support for residents and employers. Working with partners across education, business, health and the voluntary sector, it will help people find training, careers advice and routes into work. Support should be easier to navigate and available where people need it, including through outreach across the borough.

We also want to strengthen links between local employers and residents. Wokingham’s economy spans digital technology and artificial intelligence, life sciences, construction, health and care, creative industries, green skills, retail and hospitality. These sectors offer a wide range of potential careers, but people need clear information, relevant training and chances to gain experience. Young people should be able to see the range of routes open to them. University is one valuable option, but apprenticeships, vocational training and other pathways can also lead to fulfilling careers.

Employers can help by offering work experience, sharing their knowledge and helping schools and colleges connect learning with the world of work. We are also proposing an Employment and Skills Charter to bring businesses and major local organisations together around inclusive recruitment, apprenticeships, workforce development and creating opportunities for local people.

Success should not be measured by economic growth alone. We must also ask whether more residents are accessing good work, building skills and progressing - and whether employers can find the talent they need.

Wokingham’s prosperity is strongest when more people can contribute to it. By working together, we can help make sure opportunity is not hidden behind averages, but open to people in every part of our community.