Home - Solent Business & Skills Solutions

Unleash Your Business Potential

Solent Business & Skills Solutions is a free service offered by Southampton City Council and Portsmouth City Council, providing a range of support measures to help businesses succeed across the Southampton and Portsmouth areas. Our team of experienced professionals offer free, impartial advice and guidance to support you as needed.

We understand the importance of staying up to date with the ever-changing business landscape and aim to ensure that you are equipped with the right knowledge and tools to stay competitive.

Fill out our Initial Interest Survey by clicking the register button to get started. This will give us a better understanding of your business needs and will allow our experienced advisors to provide you with the right support.

SERVICES

Taking Your Business to the Next Level

Business Support

Assistance with all things business, we’ll find the solution that’s right for you.

Transfer to Transform

An innovative levy transfer scheme to support employers in the Solent.

Net Zero

Become a sustainability pioneer with our Net Zero 360 programme.

SEEDL

FREE Live and On Demand learning platform available for a range of topics.

Apprenticeship & Skills

Recruit and upskill staff using Apprenticeships and skills training.

BIPC

A dedicated space to help entrepreneurs start or grow, their businesses, projects or ideas.

We're Good with Numbers

Businesses Supported

T2T Pledge Total

Individuals Supported

Badges Created

ABOUT US

Free, Impartial Business Support

We’re passionate about helping businesses! Since 2019 we’ve been helping businesses with apprenticeships and skills training through our Solent Apprenticeship & Skills Hub. Though this project has since ended, we’ve been able to expand our offer to include business support and net zero through SBSS. What hasn’t changed is the excellent, impartial advice from our team of business advisors enabling your business to grow and thrive.

Testimonials

"Without Transfer to Transform, we could not have afforded to take on new staff on a full-time basis during this period.”

“We’re extremely proud to be able to play a part in supporting other organisations in the region and help enable them to develop their apprenticeship training programmes. As a large employer, not only in Hampshire but around the World, CooperVision is passionate about creating bright futures and the opportunity to use the Transfer to Transform scheme to support others is something we didn’t hesitate to be a part of.”

"Already we have noticed an increase in sales due to efforts made by Oliver. We are particularly pleased with receiving the benefits of having an apprentice on board without the cost of funding training."

"We were looking for financial support for apprenticeship through apprenticeship levy transfer. The process was straight forward and Jamie was helpful when talking through the process."

The communication with Sara was amazing, I received the resources necessary to look for government contracts outside of my council, as well as help in taking my business to net zero.

"Solent Business & Skills Solutions have been so helpful and easy to communicate with. Gulzar and Adam were professional and friendly. As a local small business, I have received valuable free support which is very much appreciated."

"Kirsty at Solent Business and Skills Solutions was able to signpost me to opportunities to upskill, develop and train my team in new areas. She has been dynamic, responsive, enthusiastic and supportive throughout. She has helped me navigating the sometimes complex systems and processes and acted as a advocate for me and my business throughout the process. I cannot thank her enough."

CONTACT

We're here to help.

Our contact form is the easiest way to get in touch with us. Simply fill out the form with your name, email address, and a message, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.