Employers Event at the Everyman Cinema Horsham

The session served as the first networking event of the year, designed specifically for resident employers to address one of the most pressing challenges facing the local economy: the recruitment and retention of high-quality staff.

The briefing focused on bridging the "awareness gap" regarding the extensive practical, free, and funded support available to the business community. Many of these resources currently remain under-used simply because local businesses are unaware of their existence. Expert representatives from several cornerstone organisations led the presentations:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP): Provided insights into active recruitment support and employer partnerships. The National Careers Service: Outlined free, impartial guidance for workforce development and supporting older workers to remain in the labour market. Horsham District Council: Highlighted local initiatives such as Employment Support Hubs and the Think Futures programme, which help connect employers with job-ready candidates and young talent.

John Milne MP attended as a special guest speaker, closing the presentations with a message of support for the Horsham economy. He emphasised the importance of building stronger relationships between local employers and jobseekers, noting that inadequate transport and high housing costs often complicate recruitment. Milne also shared his ongoing work with the Work & Pensions Select Committee to reform Jobcentres, advocating for a system that encourages and supports individuals into work.

The event concluded with an interactive Q&A and networking session over breakfast, allowing the fifty attending business leaders to discuss specific workforce challenges directly with the panel of experts.