Navigating skills and workforce development with Business West

Tara Gillam
08 April 2025

Whether you're looking to upskill your existing staff, recruit new people with the right skills and knowledge, create a workforce development plan or find out more about apprenticeships, Business West can help your business to navigate the skills landscape. 


Our expert-led Skills Team can give you the opportunity to influence future skills in your local area and signpost you to funding and support opportunities that most businesses don’t even know exist. 


In this blog, we’ll explore some of the support on offer. You can also learn about how we deliver wider growth support in our recent Impact Report.   

Local Skills Improvement Plans


Business West delivers the Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) for Gloucestershire, Swindon & Wiltshire and the West of England & North Somerset.


A Department for Education-funded project, developed by Employer Representative Bodies (ERBs) such as Business West, the project brings together employers, education and training providers and other local stakeholders to set out the key priorities and changes needed in the area to ensure post-16 technical education and training better aligns with business needs.


LSIPs identify business priorities and foster collaboration between employers, training providers, and stakeholders to better prepare the workforce.
Key activities include:

  • Skills advice: We offer the opportunity to receive workforce development support from our experienced Business Skills Advisors. This bespoke support aligns with your specific business needs, providing the opportunity to discuss any skills challenges you are facing, gain information about resources and training solutions to boost your business, and contribute to your local area's post-16 provision needs. Learn more and book an appointment here. 
  • Events for sectors and themes: We run regular events to explore business skills needs, update you on our findings and share knowledge on specific topics, see our past events here. We also offer Signposting Local Provision meetings to help you find the most relevant training, resources and provision for your specific business needs. Learn more about Signposting Local Provision here. 
  • Industry research: We publish regular reports, share recordings of webinars and publish in depth research on topics ranging from digital skills to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and sector-based employment opportunities. You can learn more and download our reports here. 

 

Workforce for the Future 


Our Skills team also previously delivered the Workforce for the Future Programme in collaboration with other partners and the West of England Combined Authority.
As part of the Workforce for the Future initiative we have: 

  • Supported 298 businesses 
  • Delivered 40+ workshops 
  • Provided 2,000 hours of 1-2-1 support 

The Skills Advisors who delivered this support now work with our LSIP team, providing advice and support to businesses in our region. Business West has also previously delivered Skills West and the Local Sector Skills Statement. 

What our clients have to say


Alli Nicholas, Membership and Operations Manager for Bristol Creative Industries, said: “The first project we were involved in with the LSIP was a business intelligence gathering exercise.


“We brought together a group of creative business leaders to talk about the skills gaps they were experiencing within the sector specific to their own businesses. I think it’s great for them to have the opportunity to voice their opinions and have their voices heard by somebody that can make a real difference.”


We also caught up with Claire Whitworth from Hartpury University and Hartpury College about their involvement with the LSIPs so far. Watch the interview here. 

How we can help you grow 


Business West is committed to helping your business grow through tailored services and initiatives. With their wealth of experience, our Skills Team can assist with upskilling staff, recruiting new talent, and creating workforce development plans.


By leveraging Local Skills Improvement Plans, we align education and training with local employer needs. Our targeted events, industry research, and 1-on-1 skills clinics provide valuable support to address your specific challenges.


Read our Impact Report to learn more about how we can support your business and the positive changes we've brought to the local business community.