Skills Development Officer

Skills Development Officer 22.50 per week

Lyndhurst 13/09/2026

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Salary £36,823 - £40,771 (per annum pro rata)

Contractual hours 22.5

Basis Part time

Region South

Job category/type Planning

Date posted 28/08/2026

Help shape the future workforce of the New Forest

Passionate about helping people realise their potential? Interested in creating opportunities that change lives while supporting local businesses to grow?

We're looking for a Skills Development & Delivery Officer to help drive the delivery of the New Forest Skills Action Plan and support the development of innovative projects that improve employability, address skills shortages and strengthen our local economy.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join our Economic Development Team at a time of growing ambition. You'll play a key role in bringing together employers, education providers, training organisations and community partners to create meaningful pathways into employment, apprenticeships and learning opportunities for New Forest residents.

You are enthusiastic about skills, employability and workforce development and understand the difference that access to education, training and employment can make to individuals and communities.

You'll be someone who:

• Enjoys building productive relationships with a wide range of partners.
• Can successfully coordinate projects and turn ideas into action.
• Has experience in skills, employability, education, economic development or a related field.
• Is organised, proactive and confident managing multiple priorities.
• Can communicate effectively with businesses, education providers, public sector organisations and community groups.
• Uses evidence and data to evaluate success and identify future opportunities.

A teaching, training or coaching qualification would be advantageous, as would experience gained within local government or partnership environments.

Working within our Economic Development Team and reporting to the Economic Development Manager, you'll lead and coordinate activity that helps residents develop skills and progress into employment while supporting employers to access the workforce they need.

You will:

• Lead delivery of priorities within the New Forest Skills Action Plan.
• Develop and coordinate skills and employability projects that respond to local workforce needs.
• Support the continued development of the New Forest Youth Hub and related initiatives.
• Work closely with businesses, training providers, colleges, schools and strategic partners.
• Support local skills partnerships, working groups and governance forums.
• Represent the Council at meetings and events across the district and wider region.
• Monitor and evaluate projects, demonstrating impact and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Identify opportunities to attract investment and resources to support local skills development.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of residents across the New Forest.

Your work will help:

• Young people access employment, apprenticeships and training opportunities.
• Employers address current and future workforce challenges.
• Local partners collaborate more effectively to tackle skills shortages.
• Communities benefit from stronger pathways into work and learning.
• Deliver the ambitions set out in the New Forest Skills Action Plan.

As part of our commitment to being a supportive and people‑centred employer, we offer a range of benefits designed to help you thrive both in and outside of work:

• £36,823 - £40,771 (per annum pro rata)
• 26/27 days plus bank holidays, rising by an additional week’s leave after 5 years of continuous local authority service
• Hybrid working, with flexibility across our sites, and home working
• Local Government Pension Scheme, with the option of Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs)
• Employee Assistance Programme offering free 24/7 legal, financial, and personal wellbeing advice
• Employee discount scheme with savings across major supermarkets, retailers,…