Project for students to still get placements

The Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has launched Talent Pipeline, which allows employers to offer themselves up for work experience placements.

A collaborative programme, the virtual sessions will see employers give students an overview of their industry, tips on interviews, applications, and also provide assignments for them to complete.

A spokeswoman for Solent LEP said: ‘We recognise that we have a responsibility to provide the south’s employers with opportunities to develop and build their future workforce's skills, and the Talent Pipeline programme will allow them to do just that.

‘This is a brilliant opportunity for any size organisation in the region to help young people to explore and develop skills within the Solent's key sectors.’

The project is being delivered in association with Speakers for Schools.

THE city council’s opposition Labour group has elected a new leader.

Councillor George Fielding will now lead the sixstrong group on Portsmouth City Council, with Cllr Cal Corkery as his deputy.

It comes as Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan, a Charles Dickens ward member, has confirmed he will not stand for reelection as a councillor. He remains an MP.

Cllr Fielding said: ‘I would like to thank Stephen for his significant service to the city as a councillor and to our party as group leader over the last five years. I relish the opportunity to build on his important work and that of my brilliant colleagues in my new leadership role.’

He added: ‘Portsmouth Labour will be setting out its exciting vision for the future under the group’s new leadership in the coming days.’

Cllr Fielding was elected in 2018 and has previously chaired the Portsmouth Labour party.