Pilot jobs and training scheme for Newhaven

At a virtual meeting on Thursday (July 9), cabinet members of Lewes District Council agreed to introduce new planning guidance intended to boost training and job opportunities for Newhaven residents.  

Known as the Newhaven Local Employment and Training Technical Guidance Note (TGN), the pilot scheme will require developers on larger commercial and residential projects to sign up to local labour agreements.

In a statement,  James MacCleary, cabinet member for regeneration and prosperity, said: “The level of development planned in Newhaven in the coming years will create a significant number of jobs and the TGN will play a key role in helping to secure local employment at both construction and operational stages of these schemes. 

“It builds on Newhaven’s Enterprise Zone status and the council’s continued focus on the town for regeneration.  

“We want to make sure that future development in the town benefits residents in the long term.”

Under the local labour agreements, developers would be expected to take on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in East Sussex during the construction phase – with these businesses making up at least 25 per cent of the workforce.