5 Ways the Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) can bridge Business Skills Gaps
The topic of skills is often in the news, with stories frequently highlighting the national shortage of skills in particular sectors, such as construction and healthcare.
Recent headlines have reinforced this skills gap and the urgency of finding a solution, with PM Kier Starmer announcing a target of building “1.5 million new homes in England by 2029”. This news has left construction industry leaders warning that “the UK does not have enough construction workers” to meet this target.
According to the Home Builders Federation, the trade body for the house building industry in England and Wales, “for every 10,000 new homes to be built, the sector needs about 30,000 new recruits across 12 trades including bricklaying, groundworks and carpentry. This need for more skilled workers in the construction sector, is just one example of many industries that are suffering from skills gaps.
Business West has been leading on the Local Skills Improvement Plans for the West of England & North Somerset, Swindon & Wiltshire and Gloucestershire for the past three years – including one of just eight pilot projects- carrying out extensive research into prominent skill gaps in industries such as Construction, Health & Social Care, Creative, Agriculture, IT and Digital.
Now, as an extension has been granted by the Department for Education to continue this work, the LSIPs are more important than ever in uniting local authorities, businesses and educators to prioritise upskilling the future workforce.
Wondering how the LSIPs can help bridge the skills gap? We’ve detailed five ways below:
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Uniting educators and businesses
The Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) can provide a unique perspective on the skills landscape through a combination of research, conversations, focus groups and building connections between stakeholders in the three different local areas.
The positioning of the LSIPs allow them to discuss what businesses need from a future workforce and ensures educators can use this feedback to inform future curriculum. This allows the data gathered to transform into action that ensures the learners are equipped with the right skills.
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Collating data to provide an accurate picture
Our Local Skills Improvement Plan team has created a variety of reports highlighting the landscape of certain industries within the West of England & North Somerset, Swindon & Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
Months of research and conversations with employers and stakeholders resulted in comprehensive sector analysis, actionable recommendations and signposting resources to help businesses with bridging the skills gap.
It is hoped these reports give businesses, local authorities and educators the full picture of the skills landscape.
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Leveraging the Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF)
The Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF) and its predecessor, the Skills Development Fund (SDF), created new opportunities for investment into facilities in further education.
The LSIP team at Business West recently visited several colleges to see the facilities built and equipped by the LSIF and SDF investment. A broad range of facilities were invested in including hi-tech software such as drones for construction learners, tractor simulators for those in agriculture, a new cyber security lab for IT students and fresh learning environments for SEN learners.
The LSIF provides real value in enhancing the education experience for learners, providing industry standard experiences to ensure the future workforce are suitably equipped for the workplace.
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Advice, support and signposting local provisions
Business West’s LSIPs not only provide research, communication and investment but also offer bespoke and responsive support, advice and signposting to employers. Businesses don’t always realise the impact of the skills shortage or how to navigate the available support in the local area - LSIPs are a resource for local businesses to get more involved in shaping the future of the skills landscape.
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Focusing on the soft skills as well as specific sector support
Priority sectors were identified for in-depth research based on the footprint, value and growth potential in the local area.
Through our research, employers, education providers and stakeholders operating in these industries are reporting taking a forward-thinking approach with considerations around sustainability and technology interwoven into all sectors.
The LSIP research aims to equip sectors, individual businesses and education providers with the knowledge to thrive and adapt to the evolving workforce challenges such as the pace of technological advancements. By encouraging implementation into the curriculum and existing provision, the LSIPs ensure that the future workforce have the relevant skills needed for the workplace.
As well as sustainable, digital and DEI considerations in every industry – there is also a focus on core skills that are transferrable to any specific sector. LSIPs highlight the need for the encouragement of skills such as resilience and adaptability which are essential for a successful entry into the workforce.
These are five ways that your Local Skills Improvement Plans can help you start to bridge the skills gap today. Get in touch if you’d like to hear more about how you can get involved.