We will always need skilled people; it’s essential to ensure our workforce can keep obtaining new skills as requirements shift with the introduction of new technology, and the Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) are supercharging the direction of travel for this – gathering the evidence to provide more effective provision.  

This was one of the key messages from Robert Halfon MP, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, at the ‘Local Skills Improvement Plans - Celebration and Forward Look’ event, that took place on Tuesday 5th December in London. 

Business West colleagues, Matt Tudge, Head of Skills Planning and Chloe Stockwell, Project and Events Manager, who currently deliver three Local Skills Improvement Plans, attended the afternoon, alongside Ian Mean MBE, Director for Gloucestershire and Catherine Simpson, Bid Manager, to hear from Minister Halfon about the integral role LSIPs are playing in ensuring we "build a skills nation". 

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Taking the stand for his keynote speech, the Minister recognised that there has been a lot of progress in transforming technical and vocational education, but that there is still lots to do to marry it up with academic education for equal prestige. Speaking about championing the technical education employers need, he praised the recent announcement from the Department of Education of the £165m Local Skills Improvement Fund to kickstart local provision, stressed the need for high quality qualifications, for lifelong learning, for job security, prosperity and transferrable skills and explained that the next stages of the Local Skills Improvement Plans now need to be implemented successfully to achieve these factors. 

During the Q&A session, attendees were encouraged to ask the minister questions. One such question was posed by Sara-Jane Watkins, Principal of SGS College, asked by Ian Mean, about the response to national skills priorities and the difficulties recruiting industry expertise into teaching and funding, which resonated with numerous attendees. 

Matt Tudge, commented, “The event was a great opportunity to celebrate some of the outcomes the LSIPs have already generated and hear the bigger picture of future plans for skills at a top level. It gave purpose and tangible evidence of the importance of the LSIPs moving forward.”  

The event continued with the opportunity to listen to Sir Michael Barber, who has worked for over 20 years in education and government reform and improvement, and Julia Kinniburgh, Director General of Skills Group at the Department for Education about the complexities of delivering the LSIPs on the ground, before attendees got the chance to share best practice, learnings, tips and intelligence with each other on engaging businesses to enhance LSIP research.   

Matt continued, “We’re feeling energised from attending. To have the chance to discuss experiences with colleagues from around the country, all working towards the same goal, was really valuable.” 

Minister Halfon concluded by acknowledging that the LSIPs have got to grips with skills systems, identified needs and how to address them, with local communities in charge and encouraged attendees to leave with renewed energy stating that the UK is building a skills nation to continue our rich heritage in creating jobs and cultivating industries. 

Business West is currently delivering the LSIPs for the West of England, Gloucestershire and Swindon & Wiltshire. You can find out more about how you can get involved on our Local Skills Improvement Plans webpages.