HSDC is proud to celebrate its role as a key sponsor of Portsmouth and South Coast Business Week (PSCBW) 2026, marking the sixth year of this vibrant regional showcase of enterprise, innovation and collaboration. The week-long celebration was full of free events across the region, and once again brought together businesses, educators, local authorities and community leaders – all of whom are united by a shared commitment to create opportunities for young people in the local area.
As one of the South Coast’s leading providers of technical and professional education, HSDC continues to advocate for deeper and more meaningful partnerships between employers and the education sector. HSDC’s longstanding involvement in PSCBW underscores its mission to deliver not only technical excellence to its learners, but also strength and stability as a champion of the various communities that the College serves.
Aaron Butson, HSDC’s Assistant Principal for Business, Employment and Skills also serves as the Chair of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Portsmouth and District Business Strategy Group. As part of this role, Aaron hosted the launch event for PSCBW 2026, held at the Queens Hotel in Southsea. Reflecting on how HSDC intersects with the needs of businesses in the region, Aaron said:
“This week, businesses from across the region will be focusing on the importance of young people for driving innovation and growth. At HSDC, our vast range of courses ensure that young people leave college prepared with the technical skills and personal confidence to succeed in the workplace, and we are proud to partner with hundreds of businesses to achieve this goal.”
HSDC’s goal to place young people at the heart of business strategy was a theme that underlined the launch of PSCBW 2026, with Portsmouth City Council Leader, Cllr Steve Pitt, adding at the launch event:
“Many of us in this room would not be here without the critical routes to employment that young people are granted when they are 16, 17 and 18. It is vitally important to find opportunities for young people to grow and thrive in business.”
HSDC’s extensive employer engagement programme aligns strongly with the sentiment that underlined PSCBW 2026, with the organisers urging the involved businesses to engage with young people either through hiring processes or substantial work experience. Yvonne Clay, Centre Director of Gunwharf Quays spoke passionately about this youth-centred business approach:
“We’ve got to get young people on the career ladder – they’re one of the main ways in which this region can thrive. With young people in employment, we can build the jobs for the future!”
From the digital and creative industries to engineering, health, business and beyond, HSDC continues to partner closely with local employers and businesses to co-design curriculum provision, respond to emerging skills needs and contributing directly to economic growth.
