Jobs in Gosport
Employment, major employers, and the local job market
Gosport's job market has historically been shaped by the military and defence sector, and while the borough has diversified to some extent, these connections remain important. The town's geography, sitting on a peninsula with only one main road in and out, also affects employment patterns, with a significant number of residents commuting out of the borough for work.
The defence sector is the single largest influence on local employment. HMS Sultan, the Royal Navy's engineering training establishment on Military Road, is one of the biggest employers in the borough. It trains naval personnel and defence civilians in marine and air engineering. The base supports a substantial number of jobs directly and generates spending in the local economy. The future of HMS Sultan has been the subject of periodic speculation about consolidation or relocation, which causes concern given its importance to the borough.
The former Haslar Hospital site, once the Royal Hospital Haslar and the last military hospital in England, is being redeveloped. The site's future uses will bring some employment, though the nature and scale depend on how the redevelopment progresses. The Haslar Immigration Removal Centre, which operated on part of the site, has closed.
QinetiQ, the defence technology company, has operations at the Gosport waterfront and at the Daedalus site in Lee-on-the-Solent. The Daedalus airfield site, formerly HMS Daedalus, is being developed as an enterprise zone with the aim of attracting technology, engineering, and advanced manufacturing businesses. The Solent Enterprise Zone at Daedalus is one of the most significant economic development projects in the borough, and its success is important for creating new jobs locally.
Retail and hospitality provide employment across the borough, though much of this is part-time and lower paid. The High Street shops, supermarkets, pubs, restaurants, and cafes employ local residents, particularly younger workers and those seeking flexible hours.
The public sector, including the borough council, schools, and health services, is a steady source of employment. Gosport War Memorial Hospital, GP surgeries, and care homes provide health and social care jobs.
Many Gosport residents commute to Portsmouth, Fareham, or Southampton for work. The ferry link to Portsmouth opens up employment in the city's commercial centre, the dockyard, and the university. Fareham, with its business parks and retail areas, is accessible via the A32. The commute adds time and cost, particularly for car users who face the A32 traffic, but it significantly widens the job options available to borough residents.
Unemployment in Gosport has fluctuated, and some wards in the borough, particularly Rowner, Town, and Bridgemary, have higher rates of worklessness and benefit dependency than the Hampshire average. The borough faces structural challenges around skills and qualifications, with a proportion of the working-age population lacking the qualifications needed for higher-paid work.
The Jobcentre Plus on the High Street provides employment support services. Local training providers and Fareham College offer courses aimed at improving employability. The council and local partners run initiatives to support enterprise and business development.
For job seekers, the main online platforms, local recruitment agencies, and the Jobcentre remain the primary routes to finding work. Defence sector vacancies are often advertised through specialist channels and the Civil Service Jobs website.