Business leaders and education providers in the Midlands have urged the new Government to ‘stick to the plan’ when it comes to closing the skills gap and helping businesses to develop the labour force they need.
The plea came at an event celebrating the progress made across the region on Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) which was held at the MIRA Technology Institute.
LSIPs were designed by the previous Government to put employers at the heart of skills provision in their local area, to identify skills gaps and work with partners to devise solutions.
In each area of the Midlands, partners have come together – led by an employer representative body – to research needs and then come up with solutions unique to their own local area.
Each LSIP area in the Midlands was given the opportunity to present the progress they had made and what they saw as the next stage of the plan. The event also heard from Dr Mel Collins, head of LSIPs for the Department for Education, who said the model had been written into statute.
The regional LSIPs have been led and supported by a range of partners.
The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LSIP has been led by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce; the West Midlands and Warwickshire LSIP by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber; The Marches LSIP by Shropshire Chamber; the Leicester and Leicestershire LSIP by East Midlands Chamber; Worcestershire LSIP by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber; South-East Midlands LSIP by Northamptonshire Chamber; and the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire LSIP and Greater Lincolnshire & Rutland LSIP have both been led by the FSB.
The event heard about a wide range of changes and developments that have already been made – from improving softer skills through to enhancing green tech skills for the construction sector.
Adam Whitehouse, founder of Staffordshire Chambers patron TMT First, spoke at the celebration event as an employer who has been part of the LSIP process in the region.
He said: “Attending and speaking at the Midlands LSIP Celebration event was an absolute privilege.
“It was inspiring to see so many dedicated individuals and organisations come together to shape the future of skills development in our region.
“The collaboration and energy on display truly highlight the strength of the Midlands as a hub of innovation and opportunity. I’m proud to have been a part of such an important initiative and look forward to seeing the lasting impact it will have on our local businesses and our current and future workforce talent.”
